Loop Road (Rt 656) off Happy Creek Road (Rt 624)
Front Royal, Virginia 22630
Happy Creek Loop has two sites:
- 20A: St. Paul Baptist Church at 620 Loop Road
- 20B: Mount Nebo Baptist Church at 729 Loop Road
Directions from Smoketown to site 20:
Following the Civil War, Charles Marshall conveyed land lying at the foot of the Green Hills section of Happy Creek, the family estate, to several African American families, thus establishing the community that still exists today. Original purchasers of the land were Scott Pines, John Baltimore, Samuel Dean, and George Fletcher. Their lots varied from five to 30 acres, and many residents farmed their own land while also working on the Marshall farms. In the early 20th century, the community flourished as a mining town. Seibel Iron Works hired local men to mine manganese, but a weak vein caused the eventual decline of the endeavor. In 1934 Warren County acquired land and established a “black school” on “The Loop.” Hilda J. Barbour was the first teacher.
“The Loop” also had two churches: St. Paul’s Baptist Church and Mount Nebo Baptist Church. Both were established in the 1890s, and both are still active. Many historic buildings can still be found on “The Loop” with modern development interspersed between them.
- Turn left out of the boat ramp parking lot
- Drive 5.9 miles. Loop Rd will be on the left
- Visitors are encouraged to drive the loop but not to stop along the road
Following the Civil War, Charles Marshall conveyed land lying at the foot of the Green Hills section of Happy Creek, the family estate, to several African American families, thus establishing the community that still exists today. Original purchasers of the land were Scott Pines, John Baltimore, Samuel Dean, and George Fletcher. Their lots varied from five to 30 acres, and many residents farmed their own land while also working on the Marshall farms. In the early 20th century, the community flourished as a mining town. Seibel Iron Works hired local men to mine manganese, but a weak vein caused the eventual decline of the endeavor. In 1934 Warren County acquired land and established a “black school” on “The Loop.” Hilda J. Barbour was the first teacher.
“The Loop” also had two churches: St. Paul’s Baptist Church and Mount Nebo Baptist Church. Both were established in the 1890s, and both are still active. Many historic buildings can still be found on “The Loop” with modern development interspersed between them.
