Rainbow Ridge Chapter
Organized August 4, 1919
Clifton Forge, Virginia
At the time of the Revolutionary War the eastern part of the Commonwealth of Virginia was very sparsely settled and, therefore, there was a limited number of outstanding leaders who served in the Continental Army or gave assistance. Since there was no particular local Revolutionary hero to honor, when Rainbow Ridge Chapter was organized "Rainbow Ridge" was selected as the chapter's name because of the beautiful, rainbow effect rock formation in the Iron Gate Gorge just a short distance below Clifton Forge. Rainbow Ridge is made up of two perfect arches of rock, one above the other.
Then, too, the early history of this area was tied in with the iron industry and a large iron furnace known as Clifton's Forge, from which the city took its name, was located in the gorge just opposite Rainbow Ridge. The chapter placed a DAR historical marker on the site of the forge several years ago. The location of Rainbow Ridge is of particular interest because the Jackson River flows just below, through the Iron Gate Gorge, and unites with the Cowpasture River just a short distance away to form the James River.