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

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Anticipating a population of over 40,000, the Buena Vista Company built a plush hotel which now serves as the main building for Southern Seminary Junior College translation ‘“‘beautiful view’ was very descriptive of the area. Con- the quickly adopted by the citizens as sequently, new name was they proudly proclaimed the beauty of their community. Although the first ore samples from the mines proved extremely high-grade, these tracer deposits soon vanished uncovering the large deposits of lower-grade ore which lay below. With this change in cir- the mining company discreetly their half-fin- ished plans for developing the city into. a metropolis of over 40,000 people, and left the highly diverse cumstances, dropped townspeople in a semi-city which contained features resembling both a large metropolitan area and a small rural village. Along with the collapse of the mining company's plans came the similar failure of the railroad's plans to place a major railroad inter- section through the city. With this second serious financial blow, many of the smaller factories were forced to close. But, others which had al- ready established firm markets were able to remain in business, thus insuring the survival of the city. What remained after the bust 4 Opening Aint was a city, hardly more than an oversized village, which contained an elegant hotel, an opera house for the culturally elite, and various other out-of-place buildings sur- rounded by the remains of an early frontier settlement. The townspeople were as diverse as the architecture; with some being the strongly inde- pendent mountain-type, and others being city factory workers left job- less after the bust. As time passed, the city’s econ- omy managed to remain stable as there was a general trend toward industrialization, with the older, out- moded factories being replaced by more modern industries. The city's era of expansion and prosperity had ended as quickly as it had be- gun, and the citizens of Buen a Vista faced the realization that they were destined to live in the much alluded to “small town America”. During its short history, Buena Vista has remained relatively un- changed. The only major changes in the young city have occurred through the decay and renovation of older buildings and through natu- ral disaster. In both 1936 and 1969 floods devastated the city with the latter damaging 90% of the business 208 He a oan i “ ne district and causing financial losses of nearly 5 million dollars. However, the citizens of Buena Vista did not let disaster tear the community apart, but seized the op- portunity to unite in rebuilding the city. With spirit and unity streng- thened by their misfortune, the com- munity continued to work together long after the signs of disaster were gone. One indication of the strength- ened community spirit has been the extraordinary support given to the total school program. School activi- ties, such as athletic events, band performances, and drama produc- tions are well-attended, being the major social functions in the city. Providing both financial and moral support, all residents, whether par- ents or not, take pride in school or- ganizations and their accom- plishments. Showing the enthusiasm of a young, free spirit, the community continues to change and advance its institutions to meet its needs. Throughout history, our country and our community have proved them- selves ... Pan HA AT A Su aR

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- «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

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