The Bear's Den House was constructed in 1933-34 by Dr. Huron Lawson, a physician from Washington, D.C. His wife was Francesca Kaspar, an accomplished opera singer. The house includes a curved, acoustically friendly living room that was large enough to allow Francesca to perform and entertain a large number of guests. The house was purchased by the Appalachian Trail Conference in 1983 and the house was converted into a 26-bed youth hostel for hikers along the 2,155-mile long hiking Appalachian Trail, directly adjacent to the district. The house is built of native granite and is of the Tudor Revival Style.

Photo: Courtesy of Maral S. Kalbian

Tagged: Appalachian Trail, Bear's Den House, Bluemont, history

View from Bear's Den Rock down into the Shenandoah Valley. This is the famous overlook off the Appalachian Trail for which the historic district is named and which offers some of the most spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley in the state.

Photo: Courtesy of Maral S. Kalbian

Tagged: Appalachian Trail, Bear's Den House, Bluemont, history

Stonycroft, located along Raven Rocks Road, was built circa 1911 by Louisa Peters, a native of Washington, D.C. It is an excellent example of the craftsman style and is constructed of the native greenstone. Also note the stone fence along the front, which is also a typical feature in the district.

Photo: Courtesy of Maral S. Kalbian

Tagged: Appalachian Trail, Bear's Den House, Bluemont, history

High Meadows built in 1896 for Elizabeth Somers who lived in Georgetown and was the principal for the Mount Vernon Seminary, a girls' school in Georgetown. The property includes a school house where it is thought she may have conducted informal schooling for the neighborhood children. Hugh Rowland, a prominent Georgetown attorney acquired the property in 1920. Example of a vernacular interpretation of the Shingle style with Craftsman detailing.

Photo: Courtesy of Maral S. Kalbian

Tagged: Appalachian Trail, Bear's Den House, Bluemont, history

High Wyndham was constructed circa 1907 by Thomas Gale, a wealthy realtor from Washington, D.C. and designed by architect Appleton Clark. Gale owned several large Washington Hotels including the Willard. It is a fine example of the Spanish Eclectic style and has stone walls on the first floor and stuccoed dormers with half-timbering.

Photo: Courtesy of Maral S. Kalbian

Tagged: Appalachian Trail, Bear's Den House, Bluemont, history

The stable at High Wyndham -- the property has a park-like setting and includes a stone meat house, springhouse and this 1-and-a-half-story whimsical frame stable with cross gables, and an octagonal cupola.

Photo: Courtesy of Maral S. Kalbian

Tagged: Appalachian Trail, Bear's Den House, Bluemont, history

View of Eagle Rock Lane- one of the few roads that runs east-west off the mountain ridge. Note the stone walls.

Photo: Courtesy of Maral S. Kalbian

Tagged: Appalachian Trail, Bear's Den House, Bluemont, history