Things change over time. New buildings are built, and old ones get torn down. Businesses open and others close. Residents come and go and groups are formed and others fade away with time
.Intersections and streets also change over time. Someone once said Photographers capture the present for the future to enjoy. Shenandoah the Thomas Family Collection book contains pictures and information on how the Town of Shenandoah has changed in a short span of 63 years. Father and son’s passion for photography has preserved the towns history from 1954 to 2017.
This book includes never released family photographs to include several of the inside of the Verbena Lodge building on Pennsylvania Avenue showing the vintage lodge chairs and meeting room entry door with peephole.
The book also includes one chapter that takes one on a tour of the Shenandoah Elementary School. It has undergone quite a few changes over the years. Some remember it as Shenandoah High School, with the last graduating class of 1961. This chapter has 30 photographs to include pictures showing auditorium, gym, hallways, and classroom locations of former teachers such as Mr. & Mrs. Vile, Mrs. Shaffer, Mrs. Staples, Mrs. Hockman & Mrs. Short. Among this collection of pictures is one taken of the retractable auditorium stage wall that enlarges the size of the stage. Also includes pictures taken outside the school from all directions, streets and alleys.
The Intersection of Maryland Avenue and US 340 has changed quite a bit over the years. US 340 used to be called Virginia State Route 12 from 1935-1953. This book has a full page of a very old black and white photograph take many years ago before this section of the highway got built up.
Mr Barrett Bryant built a new pharmacy off of US 340 in fall of 1971. Mike Gund purchased this pharmacy from Lisa Bryant in 1997. He went out of business and this pharmacy closed in May 2013. Three days before it closed, mike allowed Amos to take pictures inside the pharmacy. Book contains 12 photographs of inside of the pharmacy going up and down each aisle.
The answers to the below questions can be found in the book along with its picture.
What Shenandoah Elementary School teacher was Grand Marshal in Shenandoah’s Memorial Day parade in 2016?
What doctor had an office at intersection of Virginia and Second Street?
Where was the location of the old Blue Bell Building (Casey Jones) and when and why was it torn down?
Name the former restaurants that was located at present day Rudy’s Diner?
Where was the last pay phone located in Shenandoah?
During what event was there dog shows at the Shenandoah Carnival Grounds?
Where was Scout Park Located in town and which Lieutenant Governor attended the dedication of the park?
Who hand built the General Train and when was the dedication Ceremony on First Street?
In 2022 the town had three nature walks at Big Gem Park. When and whom installed these trails?
Where in town has land been cleared for a future ballfield?
What was Cousin Boogy and where was it located?
What town resident taught students to build websites at the Shenandoah Computer Center?
Where was the Coffee Pot located in town?
When & why did family members start Lois Comer Memorial Back Road Challenge?
What was the name of the very popular bagger at Shenandoah Grocery?
What was the name of the group that put-on Terror Trail at Big Gem Park?
What Group in Page County brought hundreds of bicyclers to race in Shenandoah each year?
What group sponsored the Combat Vets Motorcycle “Bull Run”?
Where in town will you see horse and buggy tracks in cement?
Whose Eagle Scout Project built the Pavilion between the Shenandoah Little League Field and Shenandoah VFW Post?
What group was responsible for building Shenandoah’s Veterans Park on Virginia Avenue and what year was it completed?
In 2014 & 2015 what choir sang Christmas Carols on First Street?
What current store will you find hand painted murals mounted on the walls?
Where was the Davis Store located in town and when was it torn down?
What year did the Page County High School Robotics Team demonstrate their robotic skills at Shenandoah Speedway?
What year did the Shenandoah 12U Girls win the Babe Ruth World Series Championship?
In the 60’s how was Christmas lights displayed on Virginia Avenue?
What two local businesses celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2017?
What year did the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus train stop in Shenandoah?
What is EDGEfest and what church put it on and what Shenandoah Town Councilman rode a mechanical bull at one of these events?
About the Author
Amos Thomas was born and raised in Shenandoah Virginia. Attended Shenandoah Elementary School and graduated from Page County High School in 1979. Amos retired from the United States Air Force in February 2000 after 20 years as a Fuels Specialist. He retired from Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in March 2022 after working in Facility Maintenance at the Harrisonburg Regional Laboratory for 18 years. He is the host of Shenandoahnewz.com website and Facebook. His hobbies other than Shenandoah Newz are photography and genealogy. Amos resides in Shenandoah, and has one daughter Jackie and five grandchildren Jeffery, Jaylin, Jaxon, Justin and Jamison.
This book contains 390 pages, and 690 photographs. Includes many black and white photographs taken by Amos’ father Owen Thomas during the 50’s & 60’s along First Street and Virginia Avenue.
This book sells for $31 and can be purchased at the following locations in Town of Shenandoah:
Shenandoah General Store: 119 Maryland Avenue Shenandoah Va 22849
Shenandoah Town Hall: 426 First Street in Shenandoah Va 22848
The above picture shows what the area looked like as they had just started building Strickler’s Insurance Company building in Shenandoah around November 1979. Mamma Mia Italian Restaurant currently occupies the building at this location. More pictures like this can be found in book on page 52-53.
Below are links to other articles written about this book:
Shenandoah Photographer Self Publishes Pictorial History Book (July 12, 2018)
Shenandoah Photographer Self Publishes Pictorial History Book
Thomas Book Sales Exceeded Expectations (December 18, 2019)
Thomas Book Sales Exceeded Expectations
Sneak Peek Inside Shenandoah the Thomas Family Collection Book ( December 22, 2019)
Sneak peek Inside Shenandoah the Thomas Family Collection Book
First posted:March 28, 2023
