Then And Now

From season to season and year to year, change is always a constant at Shenandoah National Park. In 2016, to celebrate the centennial of the National Park Service, Shenandoah National Park asked photographers to investigate the forces of change in the Park and reshoot a series of historical photographs. The result is a stunning glimpse into how the Park has changed and how it has remained the same since its establishment.

On your next visit, take a good look around. The trees that dominate the forest, the paths on which streams travel, and the slopes of the mountains are rarely static. Trails, buildings, roads, and even rock walls change in response to nature and to the evolving needs and expectations of our visitors.

Thank you to all the photographers who volunteered to participate in this project! Collected below are just a selection of the photographs submitted. View the full gallery of photographs here.

Big Meadows Lodge

Left image
Photo taken August 7, 1939
Credit: by Harvey Benson

Right image
Photo taken October 15, 2016
Credit: by Andrew Sentipal

Near mile 51 on Skyline Drive, the Big Meadows Lodge is a historical lodge that currently offers lodging, dining, and gifts. 

Corbin Cabin

Left image
Taken 1973
Credit: by Richard Sellers

Right image
Taken September 17, 2016
Credit: by John Denson

Located in Nicholson Hollow, this cabin was constructed by George Corbin in 1910. Corbin Cabin was renovated in 1954 by the Potmac Appalachian Trail Club, and is still maintained by the PATC today for rental.

Corbin Cabin

Left image
Taken 1973
Credit: by Richard Sellers

Right image
Taken 2016
Credit: by Brian Nielsen

Dark Hollow Falls

Left image
Taken fall 1961
Credit: by E. Ray Schaffner

Right image
Taken December 4, 2016
Credit: by Theresa Sullivan

Dark Hollow Falls is one of the most popular trails in Shenandoah National Park. The 1.4 mile route to the falls and back has some steep sections, but the reward at the end is a series of beautiful waterfalls and cascades.

Dickey Ridge Visitor Center

Left image
Taken 1941
Credit: by Harvey Benson

Right image
Taken June 8, 2016
Credit: by Marcia Cunningham

Today's Dickey Ridge Visitor Center at mile 4.6 of Skyline Drive was once a lodge and popular dance hall.

Elkwallow Picnic Ground

Left image
Taken July 16, 1937
Credit: by George C. Knox

Right image
Taken December 23, 2016
Credit: by Gabriel Mapel

Near mile 24, the historical photograph shows a Sunday crowd in the early days of Elkwallow Picnic Ground. Visitors still enjoy this area today.

Hazel Mountain Overlook

Left image
Photo taken July 4, 1950
Credit: by A. Fawcett

Right image
Photo taken September 12, 2016
Credit: by Jen Johnson

This is a scene from Hazel Mountain Overlook, near mile 33 on Skyline Drive. This overlook features spectacular views to the northeast and is a favorite for catching a sunrise. 

Hazel Mountain Overlook

Left image
Taken between 1934-1947
Credit: by Robert Batey Moore

Right image
Taken June, 18, 2016
Credit: by Monte Hackney

Here is a birds-eye view of the popular Hazel Mountain Overlook.The boulders provide a wonderful spot to climb up and look out to the east and take in Virginia's countryside.

Hogback Overlook

Left image
Taken between 1937-1943
Credit: by W. Drew Chick

Right image
Taken November 29, 2016
Credit: by David Rensch

Near mile 21 on Skyline Drive, Hogback Overlook has wide, expansive views of the Shenandoah Valley. Pull over, roll the windows down, and take in the scenery. 

Loft Mountain Campground

Left image
Taken May 30, 1964
Credit: by E. Ray Schaffner

Right image
Taken July 21, 2016
Credit: by Caroline Murray

Loft Mountain Campground is the largest campground in the Park, and has provided people a place to sleep under the stars for generations.

Marys Rock Tunnel

Left image
Taken October 1937
Credit: by George C. Knox

Right image
Taken 2016
Credit: by Wanda Mounts

Marys Rock Tunnel was an engineering challenge to construct, made no easier by the many natural springs that seep between the rocks along the mountainside. The tunnel was completed in 1932, and remains an iconic symbol of Skyline Drive today.

Marys Rock Trail

Left image
Taken August 15, 1934
Credit: by George C. Knox

Right image
Taken October 4, 2016
Credit: by Cynthia Fenton

Many of the trails in Shenandoah National Park were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. After years of weather and use, these trails still lead us to amazing places and are well-loved by the people who travel across them.

Massanutten Lodge

Left image
Taken September 12, 1951
Credit: by Paul G. Favour

Right image
Taken July 5, 2016
Credit: by Cindy Schifano

This historical building was the home of Addie Nairn Pollock, co-owner of Skyland Resort and wife of George Freeman Pollock. Originally built in 1911, today Massanutten Lodge contains a historically refurnished room and exhibit about women at Skyland.

Millers Head

Left image
Taken October 1941
Credit: by Robert Batey Moore

Right image
taken November 27, 2016
Credit: by Jason Cave

Located in the Skyland area, Millers Head is a trail near the amphitheater that leads to a viewing platform looking over the Shenandoah Valley toward Massaunutten Mountain. The Millers Head Trail is 1.6 miles round trip. 

Old Rag Mountain

Left image
Taken May 22, 1934
Credit: by George C. Knox

Right image
Taken September 12, 2016
Credit: by Paul Dracos

Old Rag Mountain is one of the most popular and strenuous hikes in Shenandoah National Park. The 9.2 mile route up to the peak and back includes a challenging rock scramble ending in sweeping views of Shenandoah National Park and the Virginia countryside below.

Pinnacles Picnic Shelter

Left image
Taken circa 1941
Credit: by Robert Batey Moore

Right image
Taken November 29, 2016
Credit: by Andrew Politano

Pinnacles Picnic Ground is located near mile 36 of Skyline Drive. The Civilian Conservation Corps built this shelter for the newly established Shenandoah National Park. Today, the shelter is available to use and enjoy on a first-come, first-served basis.

President's Cabin

Left image
Taken Spring 1974
Credit: by Dale Smith

Right image
Taken October 15, 2016
Credit: by Cecelia Carr

The President's Cabin, also called the Brown House, was Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover's personal quarters at Rapidan Camp, the President's rustic retreat. Today, you can visit Rapidan Camp by van tour or via a hike from Skyline Drive.  

Range View Overlook

Left image
Taken July 1947
Credit: by Robert Batey Moore

Right image
Taken 2016
Credit: by Stacy Smith Evans

Range View Overlook is located near mile 17 of Skyline Drive. Looking south, from this overlook you are peering into the center of Shenandoah National Park. 

Simmons Gap

Left image
Taken April 29, 1935
Credit: by George C. Knox

Right image
Taken 2016
Credit: by Alec Lottinville

This building was a part of a mission that the Episcopal Church founded to serve the people who lived in the are before the Park was established. Reverend Frederick W. Neve started the mission in 1900 and built this structure in 1925 as a Recreation Hall (Community or Parish House). The building was converted to a Park Ranger station and residence in 1942 and became an office in the 1990s. 

South River Picnic Ground

Left image
Taken June 1935
Credit: by George C. Knox

Right image
Taken June 7, 2016
Credit: by Marcia Cunningham

During the early days of Shenandoah National Park, cleared, open pastures, meadows, and farmland covered the mountains. Today the forest has grown up and there are few open spaces left. These images show how quickly the forest can grow.

Tunnel Parking Overlook

Left image
Taken October 1935
Credit: by George C. Knox

Right image
Taken 2016
Credit: by Jimmy Jin

Marys Rock Tunnel has been an iconic landmark in Shenandoah National Park ever since its construction. The historical photograph shows the Sunday crowd gathering to take in the view. Today, the overlook rarely gets as crowed as that Sunday in 1935, but it is a notable stop for many who travel through.

View the complete set of photographs and dive deeper into Shenandoah's past...