The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Corridor

On June 2nd, the National Trust for Historic Preservation put a 175-mile tract of land on their "2005 most endangered historic places" list. Near Route 15, this area of land stretches from Charlottesville to Gettysburg, and contains six presidential homes and numerous Civil War battlefields. One historian said that this area "has soaked up more of the blood, sweat, and tears of American history than any other part of the country." They say that continuing residential development will destroy this historical area, and take away much of the beautiful countryside that inspired our founding fathers to do the great things they did. I tend to agree with them, as building in the area has been rampant.

However, the real estate development has not been without reason. The population in the Washington DC metro area has soared in recent years, and those people have to have a place to live.

I also think the real estate companies have worked themselves into a pretty good position, with them bringing so much money to the state. The Reston Town Center design has enabled them to repeat it in several areas of the region, including the Haymarket area, part of which is located in this tract of land. I believe the county governments should be reminded of their historical past and distinct heritage, in order to get them to select more appropriate areas for development, instead of siding with "the almighty dollar".

The Journey Website:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/journey/intro.htm

National Trust website:
http://www.nationaltrust.org/11Most/2005/journey.html

Washington Post article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/02/AR2005060201761.html

Map of the land:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2005/06/03/GR2005060300583.html

More info from the Bacon's Rebellion blog:
http://baconsrebellion.blogspot.com/2005/06/saving-hallowed-ground.html