Parry McCluer High School - Parrimac Yearbook (Buena Vista, VA)

Page 6 text:

pL AR MAL AA A scenic view of Buena Vista, as seen from the old paper mill's coffer dam, shows con- siderable signs of industrialization and expansion. We've got spirit . . . in our daily (eee bee +26 in our competition ..............000 in our work and OA : — 4 in our identity «00sec Oe , “a in our Unity cess ed 2 Opening

Page 5 text:

PARRIMAG IGFs Parry McCluer High School Buena Vista, Virginia 24416 Volume 31

Page 7 text:

- «1851 — 1881 ' MOOMAW'S LANDING At this spot was Moomaws Landing on the North River Canal. On May 14,1863, the Marshall, Queen of the Packet Fleet, passed here Carrying jy, the body of General Thanne (Stonewall) Jackson to Lexington for internment. The Canal was the means by which Mrs. Robert E. Lee came to Lexington to join her husband at Washington College (now Washington and As one looks back over the past two hundred years of American his- tory, it is apparent that the youth of America has played an instrumental role in almost every phase of na- tional development. Even before the Revolutionary War, youthful in- volvement was vital, as America's first colonists were predominantly young people in search of adven- ture and a better way of life. During the conflicts which would ensue, this would become even more critical, as a strong unwavering spirit of courage and determination would be needed for the infant nation to survive against the forces of England. After securing independence, it was a spirit of youthful persistence which urged the drafters of the Con- stitution to seek even higher goals. When completed, their work would stand as a landmark in the history of democracy and mankind, with three-eighths of the signers only in their twenties and thirties. Throughout the decades which followed, America’s young men were repeatedly called onto the battlefields of the world. Spurred on by the same spirit which filled the minutemen of the Revolutionary lee thiversity in 1865. War, the young American soldier, whether fighting on his own soil dur- ing the Civil War, or overseas dur- ing one of the world wars, has al- ways found within himself an unsuppressable determination to defend his nation and the ideals in which he believes. In more recent years, it was again the spirited American youth, who while defending principles and ideals in which he believed, bitterly condemned the war of Vietnam. Protesting through their anti-war marches and demonstrations, the young people of America displayed their continued interest in the affairs of their nation and their willingness and ability to influence the spirit of their country. Just as America’s history has been influenced by her young people, so has the history of Buena Vista. Tucked away between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Maury River, Buena Vista, prior to the 1800's, was a large expanse of undeveloped farmland frequented only by Indian hunting parties and a few white explorers who knew the area as Hart's Bottom. One of these adventurers was a young man named B.C. Moomaw. He and his Marking the many significant events which occurred at Moomaw's Landing, this sign stands on Route 60 near the city limits. family were the first to settle in the area and they were joined shortly afterward by a young doctor named G.D. Meriweather. Other young people followed and soon a small settlement was growing along the banks of the river. When rich deposits of iron ore were discovered in the surrounding hills, the whole area was purchased by a mining company and was named Green Forest. Hundreds of people were brought in to work the newly opened mines. By 1888, Green Forest had expanded into a bustling boom town. In the following factories and businesses were established, railroads were put through, and a huge hotel and years, an opera house were constructed. In 1892, Green Forest was incorpo - rated into a city, although a heated controversy centered around the population requirement of 5000. When cannon balls cast from Green Forest iron were used to win the Battle of Buena Vista during the Spanish-American War, a few spir- ited citizens urged the city's name be changed to the present name, Buena Vista. Even before the change ‘Buena Vista’’ had been a familiar expression since its English Opening 3