The Big Gem History

In 1995, Luken's Steel donated to the Town of Shenandoah a 68-acre tract of land known as the "Big Gem" property. In October 1998, the Town received a $200,000 Brownfields Pilot Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct an environmental assessment of the property, which is the former site of the Big Gem Cast Iron Furnace, an iron ore foundry. An assessment was completed, and the Town received a "comfort" letter from the EPA in April 2002 stating that there is no significant contamination on the property.

The majority of the Big Gem Property is wooded, with some existing rough trails, a pond, and many other natural features. The Town of Shenandoah is working to turn this 68-arce site into a historical and recreational park. In addition to providing much needed recreational facilities to area residents, the Big Gem Park will serve as a resource for tourism and economic development. In April 2000, the Town received $150,000 in supplemental funding from the EPA, some of which was used to develop a Comprehensive Landscape Architecture Plan for the site.

In 2003, Shenandoah received a $25,000 Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry. An additional $25,000 was granted in 2004. These grants have been successfully used to hire a Project Coordinator, develop master plans for the Big Gem Park and the Shenandoah River Park, initiate development of the Park, leverage mmore than $50,000 in local appropriations, and leverage more than $15,000 in volunteer time and $10,000 in private donations, to date.

Physical redevelopment and on-site progress to date inclue the excavation and seeding of the "Phase One" area around the Big Gem Pond, resolution of pond circulation and drainage issues, constructing of a retaining wall, a gazebo and picnic tables, the installation of electrical service and a fountain, and the clearing of significant areas of the park for recreational use.

Progress continues at the Big Gem Park every day! This is truly a community effort, and your help is needed! To find out more information about the Big Gem Park and what role you play in making the Park come to life, contact the Economic Development Office at 540-652-0718.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

1880 - Mr. Milnes borrows $800,000 from northern friends to fund construction of the Big Gem Cast Iron Furnace.

1881 - The railroad reached Shenandoah Iron Works(company building Big Gem Cast Iron Furnace).

1882 - Railroad was completed and was known as the Shenandoah Valley Railroad.

1882 - Construction completed on Big Gem Cast Iron Furnace.

1882 - First of two yard engines purchased, it was regular size and was built in 1876 by the Pennsylvania Railroad.

1883 - The Boyer Mine was discovered, named after the first superintendant, after this discover output at Big Gem reached 110 tons daily.

1890 - Second of two yard engines purchased, smaller then first engine and was built in England by the Hull Locomotive Company.

1907 - Big Gem Cast Iron Furnace shuts down operations.

1917 - Big Gem Cast Iron Furnace was dismantled.

1950 - In the 1950's the northern edge was used as a solid waste dump.

1960 - In the 1960's the northern edge was used as a solid waste dump.

1995 - Luken's Steel donated the Big Gem property to the Town of Shenandoah.

1998 - The Town received a $200,000 Brownfields Pilot Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .

2000 - The Town of Shenandoah received $150,000 in supplemental funding from the EPA.

2002 - EPA sent a "comfort" letter stating that there is no significant contamination on the property.

2003 - Shenandoah received a $25,000 Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry.

2004 - Shenandoah received an additional $25,000 Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry.

2005 - 250,000 square feet of forest in Big Gem cleared to make way for new Memorial Stadium by volunteer Amos Thomas(150+ hours) and Jeff Staples(60+ hours).

Have any additional information not seen up here? E-mail me at jstaples@highspeedlink and tell me!

NOTE: Some information was obtained from "Shenandoah: A History Of Our Town And Its People" printed by the Shenandoah General Store

Contact Information

Town of Shenandoah
426 First Street
Shenandoah, VA 22849

Phone: (540) 652-0718
Fax: (540) 652-8194
E-mail: Info@TownOfShenandoah.com