Front Royal
Front Royal is situated near the junction of the
North Fork and the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Located in the
northwestern corner of Virginia, Front Royal is near the junction of major
highways, I-66 and I-81. The Washington-Dulles International Airport is about 50
miles away, Fairfax County is about 40 miles away and Washington D.C. is about
65 miles away. I-66 is a direct route through fairfax and into D.C.
The origin of the name "Front Royal" remains uncertain. The first of two current versions
of the origin holds that, in early decades of European settlement, the area was
referred to in French as "le front royal," meaning the British frontier. French
settlers, trappers, and explorers in the Ohio Territory of the mid-1700's were
referring to the land grant made by King Charles II, then in control of Thomas,
Lord Fairfax, Baron of Cameron. In English, "le front royal" is translated to
the "Royal Frontier."
However, the more colorful and legendary version of the
origin of the name has it that, during colonial days, a giant oak tree - the
"Royal" Tree of England - stood in the public square where Chester and Main
Streets now join. It was there that the local militia, composed of raw recruits
slow to learn military commands and maneuvers, were drilled. On one occasion,
the sorely tired drill sergeant became so exasperated by the clumsy efforts of
his troops and their failure to follow his command that he hit upon a phrase
that all could understand and shouted, "front the Royal Oak!" Among the
spectators was a Mr. Forsythe who had been a professional soldier. He was so
amused by the officer's coined order that he and his friends found much sport in
telling the story, repeating "front the Royal Oak" until Front Royal was the
resulting derivation.
Points of Interest
- Front Royal is the home of
Randolph-Macon Academy (founded 1893) which features an Air Force JROTC program.
- Front Royal is also the home of Christendom College and the Smithsonian's
Conservation and Research Center.
- Commercially, it is the home to a Virginia Inland Port situated on Interstate 66.
- Skyline Caverns, the northern entrance to Shenandoah National Park, and Skyline
Drive.
- It also has a large number of American Civil War attractions, both in the
town and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley.
- The Front Royal Cardinals baseball team joined the Valley League in 1984.
- Games are played in Bing Crosby Stadium. Front Royal has been designated the
canoe capital of Virgin
Helpful Links
Town of Front Royal Website
Warren County Website
Warren County Schools
County Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development Authority
Out And About Front Royal
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