Local historian and author James Allen has been a very busy writer lately. In February of 2024 he created a Facebook page called Urban Westenberger – Fact from Fiction.
His quest for knowledge of what really happened at mile marker 13 began 11 months prior to creating his Facebook page. As a result of the information, he gained from all the research he had accumulated, he went on to publish his first book titled An American Dreamer – The Abbreviated Tale of Urban Westenberger. His next project was his second Facebook page called Discovering Page County, a group page where individuals can post their Page County historical events, places, folklore, in an effort in keeping Page County history alive. It wasn’t long until he started to share some of his short stories in the Page News and Courier News Paper and started a blog page online at Shenandoah Newz called Discovering Page County Above and Below Ground.
So what is Mr. Allen up to now? We interviewed him to see what he is working on now.
James: My biggest project right now is the follow up to Jennie Kerkhof’s 1962 book “Old Homes in Page County.” The new book titled “There is More to Tell – Old Homes in Page County” which is taking a great deal of my time. Secondary project is a children’s book “Adventures of Lizzie and Her Cross Eyed Cow” This is a continuation of a short story that I wrote titled “The Legend of Cross Eyed Patsy.” I maintain a new Facebook group called “Discovering Page County,” this is from non Page County perspective although I welcome anything historic wise from anyone. I also maintain the “Urban Westenberger Fact from Fiction” Facebook group.
Then there are the stories that arise while making my rounds. I share some of those with your readers. I also gave a few to Page News and Courrier.
Shenandoah Newz: Tell us why you picked this subject as your newest project?
James: This book really picked me in a way. It was kind of a natural fit for me to do it. I had been researching and collecting information in Discovery of Page County on old homes some long gone or abandoned. I had been taking my sister around for about three years, looking for abandoned homes and interesting history. She liked to take pictures of abandoned homes and I like the history associated with the homes and or property.
Two of my first homes to research were the Green Castle and Urban Wiesenberger’s house, which was actually the old Peter Keyser farm. Many people, and writers of folklore thought that they were the same house, but that was not the case. Interestingly two competing Keyser brothers owned each home.
Shenandoah Newz: Tell us what’s your process in finding these old homes and are you willing for the public contacting you about old homes they would like to see published in the book?
James: I had built a list of homes that were not in the first book that folks including myself felt should have been included.
I honestly did not realize just how many wonderful old homes still existed. I started getting the word out best that could and wherever I could. I created an invitation letter and I would leave that letter with at the residence or in the hand of the current owner. I created a few posts in a couple of the local Page County Facebook groups. I went to and I am currently going to local events as well.
I found a lot of them driving the roads of the county day after day with my dogs in tow.
Shenandoah Newz: When do you anticipate this book hitting the streets and how can the public find out where to go and get a copy?
James: The goal is to have the book completed and on sale at the Heritage Festival this fall. I can’t guarantee that but that’s what I am shooting for.
Right now I have no idea where I will sell the books. The Luray Caverns has shown some interest and the Heritage Association has offered to help them. I will be revisiting that in the near future. I did try the local book store but there were not interested in talking to me. I got that a lot with my first book. Thankfully a handful of wonderful folks owning all different kinds of shops offered to help.
Be sure to read our two articles written about Mr. James Allen, found at links below:
Discovering Page County Above and Below Ground
Luray Author Publishes 1st Book
Find Mr. Allens two pages on Facebook at the below links:
