Virginia's Natural Bridge: Wonder of the World


Natural Bridge: One
of the Seven
Wonders of  the World.
Close-up,
showing the
top.
The right side
is thicker than
the left side.
The solid grey
limestone arch is
215 ft.high, 40ft.
thick, 100 ft.wide.

The arch weighs 
36,000 tons. It's
55 ft. higher than
Niagra Falls.
Thomas Jefferson
bought this from
King George III
for 20 shillings.
Monacan Indians
called it "The
Bridge of God"
The arch has a
span of  90 feet
between the walls.
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The Rock Formations and Falls


Lacy Falls forms many small 
cascading water flows along
the 50 foot drop to the bottom.
This Valley of Virginia contains
mainly limestone, dolomite, and shale rocks. This Valley is bounded on the southeast by the Blue Ridge and on the northwest by the Allegheny Mountains.
This part of the Appalachian Mountains
were formed by the collision of North America and Africa.During the process,
layers of rock were squeezed,
uplifted, broken and 
shoved to the northwest.
During the uplifting origin
of the Appalachian Mountains,
they may have been as
high as the Alps or even the 
Himalayas. But they have
been eroded away, since
they are much older than
the Rocky Mountains.

The creek bed upturned 
layers are part of the dipping side of  the Natural Bridge Syncline.
On the walkway beside Cedar Creek, the layers of rock were formed when the Appalachian  mountains were uplifted 200 million years ago.
Limestone and dolomite
minerals in these rocks
were slowly eroded by
the flowing stream, 
forming the Caverns and
Natural Bridge here.
Here, trees grow in a
horizontal pattern, right
out of the mountain, anchored
by their strong roots.
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Monacan Indians, Salt Petre Mine, & Lost River


The Monacan Indians
discovered the Natural
Bridge, while running 
from another tribe. They
prayed for a route across
Cedar Creek.

The Monacan Indians
built canoes, tepees,
and hunting tools. 
They lived in this
area in the 1700's.
This is what
a fireplace and
partial dwelling
area may have
looked like.
The Monacans tanned
deer hides, fished,
gardened, and wove
mats and ropes, 
besides all of their
animal skin clothes.

Salt Petre Mine
used in War of
1812 & Civil War.
This was processed
from bird & bat droppings.
Underground Spring at the
Natural Bridge. This  is part
of the Lost River, the source
of which is not known even 
today. 
Road ON TOP of
the Natural Bridge.
Unfortunately, the
top view of the Bridge
is blocked by two tall
man-made fences.
.. a Virginia
Sunset in
Arlington, VA,USA.
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