The doors and windows of Dayton, Virginia

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The small Rockingham County town of Dayton is filled with historic homes and surrounded by Old Order Mennonite farms. On the day before Halloween, Mom and I stopped by the Dayton Farmers Market for a pretzel and some shopping (see A day at Dayton Farmers Market with Mom), and then drove around this quaint little town.

First settled in 1745 by Daniel Harrison, his two-story stone home still stands and is open to visitors.

Located a mile from the market, Dayton offers not only historic homes but a playground, gazebo, historical society, the Thomas House restaurant, and a walking tour of the town.

Early settlers had English, Scottish, and Irish roots. Old Order Mennonites moved into the area beginning in the 1780s and still farm the rich soil of the Shenandoah Valley (see Old Order Mennonites in Dayton, Va … a slower pace).

Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music was started in 1875 and remained a pillar of the community until 1960 when it moved to Winchester as Shenandoah University.

Silver Lake adjacent to Silver Lake Mill on the outskirts of Dayton offers a quiet, bucolic location to watch the ducks and the occasional buggy that passes.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
October 30, 2014