Most folks that visit Big Gem Park in Shenandoah have no clue as to how the pond got its name or how it was formed.
Nowadays everyone refers to the pond as Big Gem Pond after the Big Gem Iron Ore Furnace that once occupied the 68-acre track. But prior to the creation of Big Gem Park, the pond was referred to as Gays Pond. Years ago, across Rt 340 from the pond was a business going by the name of Gay’s Amoco Service Station. In 1974 it was managed by James Vick and later ran by Ralph Jones.
By viewing maps displayed in Shenandoah’s Museum, we gain a little insight as to how the pond came to be. Map of Milnes dated 1885 we see a Limestone Quarry located next to Big Gem Iron Ore Furnace. Please note that this map shows a street named New York Avenue. Some time over the years it got renamed to Shenandoah Avenue. On the map of Shenandoah Water System, it shows Rock Quarry Pond beside State Highway and south of Shenandoah Avenue. This map was dated January 11, 1937 and was drawn by R.A. McMullan Chief Shenandoah Fire Dept.
Close examination of the rocks around Big Gem Pond reveals Limestone rocks that have jagged and broken surfaces as result of mining of the limestone rock.
Please see our related article on Big Gem Pond titled “Is There a Train in Big Gem Pond?” This article has newspaper clippings that reference the question of a train being in the pond. In one article, former Shenandoah Mayor Jack Rinaca describes how the train cars go into the pond.
http://shenandoahnewz.com/town-of-shenandoah/big-gem-park/502-is-there-a-train-in-big-gem-pond
Map of Milnes dated 1885
Map of Shenandoah Water System is pictured above.
In the Shenandoah Herald, Woodstock Va dated April 4, 1883 we found the following article:
Heavy Blasting. One day last week a blast of twelve kegs of powder was set off in the rock quarry at Milnes, from which limestone is obtained for the Gem Furnace at that place. Terrible execution was done to the rock. One large piece was blown fully 150 yards and falling upon the Engine house crushed through the roof upon the boiler and did some injury to it, the extent of which we have not learned. Another large piece was- carried at least 300 yards and fell upon the roof of a house, crushing through the roof and floors down upon the table in the dining room, from which the family had just gotten up, breaking the table and everything on it to atoms. Page News.
