Mole Hill rises out of the horizon (left middle) when viewed from the western region of Rockingham County, Virginia, January, 2014. Mennonite farms, along with others in the region dot the winter landscape in the distance beyond a Saturday morning funeral that brought a thunderstorm to the attenders.
In the late 17th century Amish began migrating from Europe to Philadelphia, PA, and eventually moved west to Lancaster County, PA. From there they migrated west to Ohio and other states. In Lancaster County, the Amish maintain their agricultural way of of life, in spite of rapid urbanization and modernity all around them. They are the fastest growing religious group in North America. This Amish farm is in Smoketown, Lancaster County, PA.
Mennonite Bishop Lewis J. Heatwole wrote an article for the Daily News Record, Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1921, in which he explained the meaning of the word Massanutten. From his research he concluded that Massanutten is from two Indian words for “ground” and “potato,” which when put together mean “Potato Ground.” Today the old peak still towers over the valley, easily seen from a jumbo jet descending on a Washington, D.C. airport from the south, and visible from about any point in the Shenandoah Valley. The encroachments of civilization have not dimmed the spectacle and grandeur of a mountain that has provided a visual feast for ancient Indians and modern travelers.