The Natural Chimneys are seven towering limestone rock formations (spires) near Mt. Solon, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. They stand 65 to 120 feet tall and were formed roughly 500 million years ago when the area was under water. The chimneys are located in a very nice regional park. Mom and I stopped at the park before going to the South Side of Shenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive).
Regional park sign - Happy Halloween
Natural Chimneys
19th century name: Vulcan's Forge
The chimneys looked more like a castle or fortress than chimneys. The reference to chimneys goes back to the history of the area when limestone was burned in chimney-like structures. The "chimneys" were also used to burn iron. The natural chimneys are made of numerous layers of compacted sediment. The layers vary in thickness and color. There were two caves at the base of the chimneys.
Another historic name: Cyclopean Towers
One of the caves
500 years of geological history
