Location: ROCKBRIDGE, Virginia

  1. Improvements at the Virginia Military Institute

    Date(s): August 11, 1853 to August 18, 1853 Location:  Tag(s): Economy, Education, War 

    The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) was created in 1836 when funding was set aside for it in lieu of an arsenal in Lexington. Lexington lies roughly fifty miles to the northeast of Roanoke. It was instantly a source of pride for Virginia. Shortly after VMI was created, South Carolina tried to recreate VMI in their version which they called the Citadel. The cadets at both schools had rivalries...

  2. A la Mode

    Date(s): May 6, 1851 to 1851 Location:  Tag(s): Arts/Leisure, Urban-Life/Boosterism, Women 

    On May 6, 1951, John P. Lightner of Rockbridge County received a letter from his traveling cousin. The author of the letter was finally able to see what city life was like He described Fifth Street as being packed; everywhere he looked he saw merchants with small stands trying to sell veggies, fowl, and more flowers than one could possibly imagine. That night, he bought tickets for six dollars each,...