This part of the Virginia was hit hard during the Civil War, as Sheridan went through and burned everything. It is a place that still has a sadness. After the War, the Valley came back. All of the little towns had their own mills (Flour) and canneries ( peaches and tomatoes). It is sad that these industries are all gone now.
We followed the Civil War Trails signs again, basically following Stonewall Jackson. We found his headquarters in Elkton.
It was a fluke. Our Alabama Friend had tried to find it in the past and had no luck. This time we made a turn and there it was. The house is now surrounded by mid 20th century homes, and has been restored. Our Alabama Friend tried the door and it didn't open. The museum had a mannequin in the upper window that had a Confederate jacket on it and "paper face" of Jackson...rather cheesy actually, but funny. The Good Husband went to the door and said loudly "Ok Jackson, come down and open this door"...with in seconds the door opened!!!! As it turned out the museum is only open on Sunday afternoons so we got lucky!
After that stop we continued to Port Republic to the Kemper House.
This was the house that the Confederates took the body of Turner Ashby after he was killed. The house is only open on Sunday's too. So we got lucky on our Civil War Travels. All the history is about me, lovely Virginia town, and what catches my eye??? A fern growing on the outside of the chimney!!! 
We then headed back towards Harrisonburg. Four years ago coming into Harrisonburg on Rt it was still pretty rural. The location that Ashby was killed was "out" in the country . Today ( in just 4 years) the sprawl has surrounded the place. Strip malls, housing etc. Most of this growth is from James Madison University.
On the way home we found a great BBQ place and a yard ornament place that sold cement Civil War soldiers, cannon, and cannon balls. Just what every yard needs!!!!
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