It's All About Woodstock Virginia...

...continuing with our fall 2024 road trip through several states.  Our last road trip sights and experiences on this adventure were in the state of Virginia.  On this particular day we'd driven from Mansfield Pennsylvania down past Harrisburg and Greencastle, then a short bit through Maryland past Hagerstown and into Virginia.  Our overnight stay for this leg of the trip was in Woodstock.

 

Unfortunately, for me at least, Woodstock offers many shopping opportunities for both locals and travelers.  I don't remember what Laurie purchased at this shop but I do know that she wasn't finished shopping!  You can check out The Buttercup Gift Shop, located at 120 South Main Street, by visiting their website at https://thebuttercupva.myshopify.com/.

Just across from the Buttercup, I spotted this handsome log building at 129 South Main Street.  Fortunately neither Laurie or I assumed that it was a retail destination.  Built in 1787 this restored log structure originally was a home.  Later it was covered with weatherboard.  Not too long ago, the new owner took off the weatherboard and restored the building.  It's now the home of Nate and Main, which offers a curated selection of works by local artists as well as antique and vintage home a garden decor.  Learn more on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nateandmain/.

The Community Theater in Woodstock Virginia was built in 1940 by the Dalke family.  In addition to this theater, the family owned one other theater in Woodstock as well as others in Shenandoah County.  While most of these theaters have gone away, apparently the Community Theater has never closed.  New owners took over in 2008.  The interior is fairly intact except that there are now 3 screens/theaters offered that seat a total of 650 patrons.  Website: http://communitywoodstock.com/.

I couldn't find very much information about this handsome old home at 144 North Main Street.  Apparently it was built in the latter half of the 1800s...and it certainly has been well preserved!  As far as I could determine, it currently serves as a residence, an insurance company office and home  for a physical therapist.   

This was the shop that ended Laurie's shopping for the day!  As you can see, Three French Hens at 143 North Main Street was loaded with possibilities outside...so you can imagine just how packed with goodies this store was inside!  My downfall was another comforter for our king size bed.  It was almost pristine and while it was much less expensive than a brand new one would have cost, it wasn't exactly free either... Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Three-French-Hens-Woodstock-VA-100045482802459/.

As for the structure, it was built as a home in the late 1800s.  Before becoming Three French Hens, it has served as apartments and offices.

This handsome building at 132 North Main Street was built as a home ca 1830.  It displays both Greek revival and Italianate design elements.  At some point it served as the Intellectual Arts Building but now it's the home of a Certified Public Accounting/Business Consulting firm.

Constructed in 1877, this building also started out as a home.  With the installation of those storefront windows, the lower level has been transformed into retail space.  At one point, one entrance led to an art gallery and the other door provided entry to Shenandoah Sports.  Today, the building is the home of Traveler's Treasures...a shop that we skipped given our 'shopping expenditures' for the day.  Website: https://www.facebook.com/joystravelerstreasures/. 

FYI, Woodstock Virginia is the oldest town in Shenandoah County Virginia as well as the county seat.  It was founded in 1761.  Unlike many small towns across the USA, Woodstock has seen a steady growth in population, from 1,815 in 1950 to over 5,300 today.  

As the day faded toward night, we sought out a dining destination.  The goal was an inexpensive diner style local restaurant.  A quick search led to the Route 11 Diner at 1296 South Main Street.  Basic sign, simple exterior and a spotless interior that was almost devoid of decor...

Laurie kept her evening meal simple and basic.  As we'd had lunch, she wasn't very hungry and this  bowl of broccoli cheese soup and that nice hunk of cornbread was more than enough for her evening repast.

You know that it's a diner when they offer sloppy joes, a country ham dinner and beef liver with caramelized onions...  

Was I hungrier than Laurie?  Probably not but still I ordered a small steak with this pile of French fries.  Hey, at least the apple sauce was healthy!  Actually the steak was pretty tasty... Oh yes, I did talk Laurie into sharing a single serving of raspberry cobbler.  No photo though as we'd/I'd pretty much destroyed our dessert before I thought about taking a photo.

Our meals were just fine and the service was friendly down home style.  This restaurant is closed on Monday.  Phone: 540-459-8181.  Website: https://route11.top/.

This photo definitely out of order.  It was taken earlier in the day.  Laurie loves horses and as we drove to our Hampton Inn for the night, we spotted this race track and a number of standardbred horses pulling their drivers in their sulkies around a track.  Practice and exercise for the horses and drivers I'm sure.  Sometimes referred to as 'trotters', harness racing is about the horse that can trot the fastest without breaking pace.  Harness racing used to be more popular in the US but despite some decline, there are still 35 harness racing tracks in the USA and Canada.  Learn more about harness racing at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harness_racing.

The Shenandoah Downs Racetrack is located at 300 Fairgrounds Road in Woodstock.  This track is one of 4 harness racing tracks in Virginia.  The next series of races at this track will take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from April 26th through June 8th.  Wagering is available.  Website: https://shenandoahdowns.com/.

Fans along the rail with their race sheets

The start of the race.  Once the horses are even, the starter vehicle pulls aside.

My home town, Jackson Michigan, was a home for harness racing from 1948 until 2008 when the track at the Jackson County Fairgrounds was scheduled for demolition.  I have memories of going to the races with my mother and my stepfather.  My mother...not a 'horse person', wagered on a couple of races and won.  My stepfather...definitely a horse person even owning 3 horses including an Arabian stallion when I was in the 4th grade, wagered and, much to his frustration, was not a winner.  My mother was very amused at the outcome...

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave