- Location
- Virginia
- Current protection
- Natural Bridge State Park
- Status
- No active campaign
- Tier
- Tier 3 · Smaller national site
- In the book
- Not featured in Undiscovered America
Why should it be a National Park?
In Rockbridge County, Cedar Creek runs under a limestone arch 215 feet high, a sacred place to the Monacan people that Thomas Jefferson bought from the Crown and called the most sublime of nature's works.
It was one of the first natural wonders Americans ever celebrated. It deserves to be recognized as one of their National Parks.
The history of National Park Campaigns
Natural Bridge was the subject of a bill in the 62nd Congress, and many people suggested its purchase, especially from 1934 on. The Park Service replied that it had no money to buy it, though it would consider a donation. It remained in private hands until it became Natural Bridge State Park in 2016.
- Distinct National Park attempts
- 2 (1911–13 bill; 1934 and later requests)
- Other designation attempts
- 1 (2016 state park)
Sources
- National Park Service, Suggested Areas Resumes (1957)
- Edmund B. Rogers, History of Legislation Relating to the National Park System Through the 82d Congress (NPS, 1958)
- Wikipedia, List of proposed National Parks of the United States
- 1774
Thomas Jefferson acquires Natural Bridge from the Crown.
- 1911–1913
A bill in the 62nd Congress seeks to bring Natural Bridge into federal hands.
- 1934
A new round of suggestions for federal acquisition begins; the Park Service says it lacks funds but would consider a donation.
- September 24, 2016
Natural Bridge becomes a Virginia state park.