The Big Spring
Our Anchor in Time
“For generations this great spring was the main source of water supply for the town. Before the white man settled around it the Indians and the buffaloes knew it well. It was at the crossing of two old trails—one up and down the Valley, since widened into the Valley Turnpike, the other crossing the Valley from east to west. During the Civil war thousands of soldiers, Blue and Gray, quenched their thirst at this generous place of refreshment. But some time after 1896,when the new court house was erected, the court house square was paved and the old spring had to go the way of civilization.” —Art Folio of the Shenandoah Valley, John Wayland, 1924.
New Springhouse dedicated April 30, 1995. Margaret Grattan Weaver, benefactor.
(on a small brass tablet to the right) The Springhouse was especially enjoyed when Judge George Gilmer Grattan held court on “Court Day” each Monday. • It is our duty to our citizens to recall for them some of the customs, institutions and monuments time has left behind. —The Grattans
Marker is on Courthouse Square (U.S. 33) east of West Market Street (U.S. 33), on the left when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
