|
The property we call Skymont was purchased in the late 20's early 30's by a gentleman named Dr. Davis. He built a camp
there which he called Camp Overall.
Camp Overall was originally a boy's camp. It had many unique features, including a gym built on stilts over the hillside
cliff descending to the Shenendoah River. Down below, beside the river, was a pool which itself was unique. The pool was connected
to a reservoir up the creek (the reservoir Subud people later swam in). A system was installed whereby the pool could
be flushed into the river, and then refilled with fresh water from the reservoir. A deck was built atop the natural stone
'chimneys' which rose out of the ground beside the path that led back to camp.
Sometime after opening the camp was revised to allow boys and girls. The girls stayed in the cabins near the lodge, while
the boys stayed in the cabins at the other end of the camp. The house now called the Farmhouse (called the Guest House in
Subud days) was the infirmary. Westy Bachelor, who attended Camp Overall, remembers that the children were roused from bed
and told a legend of a headless horseman. They were led en masse in the dead of night into the woods where an employee later
rode by disguised to appear headless, thus adding 'proof' of the legend.
When the 340 Highway was slated to be built Dr. Davis tried through legal channels to fight the state but was unsuccessful.
The 340 was built, cutting the campground in half. After his long fight Davis became disillusioned and lost interest in the
camp.
The defunct Camp Overall was discovered for Subud by Livingston Dodson, after having a dream in which he found a place
where 'the mountains meet the sky.' In reference to this dream the land was rechristened 'Skymont.'
Subud residency began with preparations for the upcoming Congress to host Bapak.
(As we all know there's A LOT more to this part of the story.... to be continued).
Skymont was sold to a man who planned to build a large vacation resort on the property. Apparently he did a great deal
of preparation toward this end, including drilling tests. During that time squatters began living in the remaining buildings.
They dismantled the lodge and sold the precious worm chestnut of which it was made, using the rest for firewood. The cabins
may also have been burned. The Chalet likewise was burned to the ground.
Eventually Skymont was purchased by Alan and Alma Fitzwater, who went to great efforts to restore the property.
They
restored the Frame House, Guest House and Stone House, making their home in the Stone House and renting the others out to
travellers seeking a respite from the beaten trail. In addition they built three other structures, renting these out as well,
and created a llama farm.
|
 |
|
