VA State Highway Historical Markers
Marker Name: Reid's Ferry
Marker Location: Rt. 10 in Suffolk VA
Marker content: The village of the Nansemond Indians stood near hear, 1608, when the region was first explored by the English settlers. These savages took part in the massacre of 1622 and in the war that followed their town was destroyed by Sir George Yeardley.
Personal note: This marker is near my home. Strange how they refer to "savages". Not so sure this marker shouldn't be changed.
I passed this marker during a recent visit:
Marker Name: Sweet Briar College Chartered 1901
Marker Location: Amherst County, VA Rt 29, 2.1 miles south of Amherst
Marker Content: This Liberal Arts College for women opened in 1906, granted its first Bachelor of Arts Degrees in 1910. Established under the will of Indiana Fletcher Williams as a memorial to her only daughter, Daisy, the college is located on a 2800-acre tract of line acuired by Elijah Fletcher before 1830. The eighteenth-century homestead, remodeled and name "Sweet Briar House" by the Fletchers, is set in a boxwood garden.
Another marker along Rt 29.
Marker Name: Action at Tye River Marker
Marker Location: Amherst County Rt 29 just a few hundred feet south of the Tye River Bridge
Marker Content: About 800 yards east, on June 11, 1864 the Botetourt Battery, CSA prevented Federal Raiders from burning the Orange and Alexandria Railroad Bridge, thus enabling General Jubal Early to reach Lynchburg in time to to save it from capture by General Hunter.
PS Any railroad buffs or Civil War historians that can tell us more?
Email the page owner
Marker Name: Frances Dickenson Scott Johnson
Marker Location: Russell County, VA Rt. 80
Marker Content: Near this site is the grave of Frances Dickenson Scott Johnson (died 1796), sister of Henry Dickenson who was the first clerk of Russell county. In 1785, while living in Powells Valley in Scott County, her first husband, Archibald Scott, and their four children were murdered by Indians, and she was taken captive. She ultimately escaped and after wandering in the rugged mountains of Kentucky for nearly a month, made her way back to Russell County. She later married Thomas Johnson.
Marker Name: Moores Fort Marker
Marker Location: Russell County VA, town of St. Paul
Marker Content: Near here, on Clinch River, stood Moore's Fort. Daniel Boone, on his way to Kentucky with a party of settlers, stopped here for some time. On September 29, 1774, Indians made an attack here from ambush, killing John Duncan.
Personal note: Does anyone have any lineage on this John Duncan?
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Marker Name: Glebe Church
Marker Location: RT 337 in the area known as Driver, City of Suffolk, VA
Marker Content: Built in 1738. In 1775, the parish minister, Parson Agnew, was driven from the church for preaching loyalty to the king. The building was repaired in 1854.
Personal note: Anyone wanting a picture of this church can email me.
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Marker Name: Battle of Seawells Point
Marker Location: US Naval Base, Norfolk VA (at the harbor)
Marker Content: Battle of Seawells Point Confederate batteries at Seawells Point were located near here. These batteries ,ounting twenty 32 pounders, three 42 pounders carronades, and six 9 inch rifles, successfully repulsed an attack by the Federal Fleet May 19, 1861. This was the first engagement fought in Virginia in the War Between the States. These batteries, under fire many times, were never silenced nor captured. They were abandoned when Norfolk was evacuated May 10, 1862
Personal note: Anyone wanting a picture of this marker can email me.
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Marker Name: Battle of Hampton Roads
Marker Location: US Naval Base, Norfolk VA (overlooking Hampton Roads)
Marker Content: Across Hampton Roads from this point, the C.S.S. Virginia (Merrimac) and the U.S.S. Monitor fought March 9, 1862. This was the first combat between iron clad vessels in the history of the world. After a severe engagement in which each vessel failed to pierce the other's armour, the Monitor retired. On the previous day, the Virginia had destroyed the U.S.S. Congress and the U.S.S. Cumberland, and dispersed the remains of the Federal Fleet.
Personal note: Anyone wanting a picture of this marker can email me.
Email the page owner
Marker Name: Campbell County/Bedford County
Marker Location: Located on US 460 East at Bedford Co/Campbell Co line.
Marker Content: Z 255 Campbell County Campbell County was formed from Bedford County in 1781 and named for Gen. William Campbell, one of the heroes of the Battle of King's Mountain in 1780. The county seat is Rustburg. British Lt. Col. Bonastre Tarleton passed through the area in July 1781 to burn supplies in Bedford County. During the Civil War, Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early defeated Union forces under Maj. Gen. David Hunter at the Battle of Lynchburg, fought partly in Campbell County, 16-18 June 1864. Department of Historic Resources 1997 on the opposite side of this sign is the following: Z 255 Bedford County Bedford County was probably named for the English Statesman John Russell,fourth duke of Bedford. Russell, was secretary of state for the Southern Department from 1748 to 1751, had general supervision of colonial affairs. Bedford was formed from Lunenberg County in 1753 and parts of Albemarle and Lunenberg Counties were later added. The county seat is Bedford. The scenic Peaks of Otter as well as Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's country retreat, are located in this county. Department of Historic Resources 1997
Marker Name: Town of New London
Marker Location: Located on Route 858 in the town of New London
Marker Content: K 139 New London At New London, Patrick Henry made one of his most famouse speeches. John Hook, a Tory, brought suit for two steers impressed for the American Army in 1781. Henry, the opposing counsel, so pictured the suffering of the patriots in that critical year and their joy at Cornwallis's surrender, and so ridiculed Hook, that the case was laughed out of court. Virginia Conservation Commission 1940 On the opposite side of this is as follows: K 139 New London This place, on the old stage road, was the first county seat of Bedford; the first courthouse, built in 1755, was standing until 1856. In 1781, New London was raided by the British cavalryman, Tarleton, seeking military stores. It came into Campbell County in 1782. An arsenal here was afterward removed to Harper's Ferry. Virginia Conservation Commission 1940
Marker Name: Callaway-Steptoe Cemetery
Marker Location: Located on Route 460 West just past Bedford Co/Campbell Co line.
Marker Content: K 135 Callaway-Steptoe Cemetery Nearby are buried several prominent area settlers and their descendants. Col. William Callaway in 1755 one of the first two members of the Virginia House of Burgesses from Bedford County donated the hundred acres of land on which the town of New London was built. His son Col. James Callaway served as county lieutenant commander in chielf of the Bedford County militia during the Revolutionary War. James Callaway's son-in-law James Steptoe was a close personal friend of Thomas Jefferson and served for 54 years as the first clerk of Bedford County. Steptoe's home Federal Hill stands nearby. Department of Historic Resources 1997
Marker Name: St. Stephen's Church
Marker Location: Located on Route 221 South in Forest
Marker Content: K 140 St. Stephen's Church Half a mile north is St. Stephen's Church, built about 1825 under Rev.Nicholas Cobb, later bishop of Alabama. In the old cemetery here many members of early families of the community are buried. Conservation & Development Commission 1929
Marker Name: Home of John Goode
Marker Location: Located on the corner of Longwood Avenue and Hampton Ridge in the city of Bedford.
Marker Content: K 132 Home of John Goode Here is the home of John Goode, political leader born 1829, died 1909. Goode was a member of the secession convention of 1861; of the Confederate Congress, Solicitor General of the United States; President of the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1901. Conservation & Development Commission 1929
Marker Name: Peaks of Otter Road
Marker Location: Located on the corner of Route 221 and Route 43 in the city of Bedford
Marker Content: K 136 Peaks of Otter Road This road was followed by Gen. Hunter when he crossed the Blue Ridge at the Peaks of Otter and came to Bedford enroute to Lynchburg, June 16, 1864.
Marker Name: Hunter's Bivouac
Marker Location: Located in the median of US 460 West of the city of Bedford.
Marker Content: K 130 Hunter's Bivouac Near here General Hunter, on his retreat from Lynchburg, halted for the night of June 18, 1864. He resumed his retreat early in the morning of June 19. Conservation & Development Commission 1929
Marker Name: Lynchburg and Salem Turnpike
Marker Location: Located on Route 460 West between Lynchburg and city of Bedford
Marker Content: K 131 Lynchburg and Salem Turnpike The Lynchburg and Salem Turnpike Co. was incorporated in 1818 to build a turnpike from Lynchburg west to Salem. The road reached Liberty (now Bedford) in 1828 and was completed to Salem in 1836. In Bedford County,covered bridges spanned the Big Otter and Little Otter rivers. The latter bridge remained until 1947. This turnpike with five tollgates, served as the main throughfare in the region until the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad was built in the 1850's. In 1854, the company abandoned responsability for the road between New London and Liberty and the county took control.
Marker Name: Amherst/Rockbridge County
Marker Location: Located on Route 130 at the Amherst Co and Rockbridge Co line.
Marker Content: On the East side: Amherst County Area 470 Square Miles Formed in 1761 from Albemarle, and named for Jeffrey, Lord Amherst, British Commander in the French and Indian War, Balcony Falls are in this county. "Conservation & Development Commission - 1928" On the West side: Rockbridge County Area 616 Square Miles Formed in 1778 from Augusta and Botetourt and named for the Natural Bridge. Samuel Houston and Cyrus H. McCormick were born in this county. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson are buried in Lexington. Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute are there. "Conservation & Development Commission - 1928"
Located on Rt 220 North in Botetourt County
D-29
Fort William
Col. William Preston constructed Fort William nearby in 1755 during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) as one in a series of fortifications to protect Virginia's frontier. A group of Indians paid a friendly visit in Oct. 1755, and Col. George Washington inspected the fort during his frontier tour in 1756. Indians attacked the fort in Oct. 1756 but were repulsed. In 1763, during Pontiac's War (1763-1764), nearby settlers flocked to Fort William for protection.
Department of Historic Resources 1999
Located on Rt 220 South in Botetourt County
D-31
Roanoke Valley Baptist Association
The (Roanoke) Valley Baptist Associatioin was organized on 7 August 1841 at nearby Zion Hill Baptist Church. Seventeen congregations constituted the original fellowship of churches; during the next century and a half membership grew to more than seventy churches.
Department of Historic Resources 1989
Located on Rt 220 North at Clifton Forge, Alleghany County
L-3
Douthat State Park
This park was developed by the National Park Service, Interior Department, through the civilian conservation corps in conjunction with the Virgnia Conservation Commission. It covers nearly 4500 acres and was opened, June 15, 1936. It lies in a region once extensively devoted to iron smelting.
Va Conservation Commission 1939
Located on Rt 220 South at Iron Gate, Va
76-Z
Botetourt County
Area 548 Square Miles
Formed in 1769 from Augusta and named for Lord Botetourt, Govenor of Virginia, 1768-1770. Buchanan was the western terminus of the noted James River and Kanawha Canal.
on the opposite side:
Alleghany County
Area 458 Square Miles
Formed in 1822, from Bath, Botetourt and Monroe, and named for the Alleghany Mountains. At Fort Mann a battle took place between settlers and Indians led by Corstalk, 1763.
Conservation & Development Commission 1928
Located on Rt 220 North in Fincastle, Botetourt County
Fincastle
Miller's Place here was selected as the county seat of Botetourt in 1770. In 1772 the town of Fincastle was established on land donated by Israel Christian and named for Lord Fincastle, eldest son of Govenor Lord Dunmore. It was incorporated in 1828. In 1845 it had a population of 700. The present courthouse was erected about 1850.
Va Conservation Commission 1941
Located on Rt 220 South, Corner of Houseman Street, Fincastle, Botetourt County
D-32
Santillane
Near here in Santillane, one of Botetourt County's most distinguished properties. The Greek Revival house sits on a tract of land originally owned by Colonel George Hancock, a member of the United States Congress from 1793-1797. In 1808 Hancock's daughter, Judith, married General William Clark. Clark served from 1803 to 1806 as a leader of Thomas Jefferson's famous Lewis and Clark expedition which was instrumental in opening the west for American settlement.
Dept of Historic Resources 1990
Located on Rt 220 North in Fincastle, Botetourt County
D-30
Greenfield
Half a mile west stood Greenfield, the home of Col. William Preston. According to local traditioin Stephen Rentfroe constructed a fort there in the 1740's. In 1750, Preston bought the property from Rentfroe and soon built a house that evolved into a large log-and-frame, L-shaped dwelling; a portico supported by two-story columns sheltered the front. Preston became a prominent frontier millitary leader during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). He also served in the Virginia Houe of Burgesses (1765-1771). Greenfield, later the home of Gov. James P. Preston burned in 1959.
Dept of Historical Resources 1999
Located on Route 460 (in median) Bedford County
K-121
Colonial Fort
Near here stood a fortified dwelling used for shelter during periods of warfare between European colonists and Native Americans. To this fort in 1756 came Mary Draper Ingles (Mrs. William Ingles) for protection following her escape from captivity by the Shawnee Indians. She was taken prisoner on 30 July 1755 following an attack on the Draper's Meadows settlement in Montgomery County near present-day Blacksburg. The story of her forced march to the Ohio Indian towns, her subsequent escape, and her long trek back home is part of the folklore of frontier Virginia. During the French and Indian War (1754-1763), many settlers abandoned this area and fled east.
Dept of Historical Resources 1997
Located at the corner of Park Avenue and Ninth Street in Lynchburg, Va
Q-68
Inner Defences
Here, facing west, ran the inner defenses of the city, located by General D. H. Hill. They were constructed by convalescents and home guards. General Early, after an inspection of the system, moved most of the men to the outer works well to the westward.
Virginia Conservation Commissioin 1941
**
Located ????
10-L
First Indian Fight
The first clash between settlers and Indians in Rockbridge County occured near here, December 18, 1742. Captain John McDowell let the settlers; the Indians were Iroquois.
Conservation & Development Commission 1926
Located on Rt 501 (just off Rt 130)
66-Z
Amherst County
Area 470 Square Miles
Formed in 1761 from Albemarle, and named for Jeffrey, Lord Amherst, British commander in the French and Indian war. Balcony falls are in this county.
on reverse side:
Bedford County
Area 781 Square Miles
Formed in 1753 from Lunenburg and Albemarle, and named for the fourth Duke of Bedford English statesman. The Peaks of Otter are in this county.
Conservation & Development Commission 1928
Located on Rt 501 in Boonsboro area
Z-67
Bedford County
Bedford County was probably named for the English Statesman John Russell, foourth duke of Bedford. Russell, as secretary of state for the Southern Department from 1748 to 1751, had general supervision of colonial affairs. Bedford was formed from Lunenburg county in 1753 and parts of Albemarle and Lunenburg Counties were later added. The county seat is Bedford. The scenic Peaks of Otter as well as Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's country retreat, are located in this county.
on reverse:
Campbell County
Campbell County was formed from Bedford County in 1781 and named for Gen. William Campbell, one of the heroes of the Battle of King's Mountain in 1780. The county seat is Rustburg. British Lt. Col. Bonastre Tarleton passed through the area in July 1781 to burn supplies in Bedford County. During the Civil War, Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early defeated Unioin forces under Maj. Gen. David Hunter at the Battle of Lynchburg, fought partly in Campbell County, 16-18 June 1864.
Dept of Historic Resources 1997
Located on ????
A-72
Natural Bridge of Virginia
Legend says the Monocan Indians called it "The Bridge of God" and worshipped it. Thomas Jefferson was the first American owner, patenting it with 157 acres on July 5, 1774, "For twenty shillings of good and lawful money." Millions of years old, Natural Bridge is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Virginia Conservation Commission 1940
Located in Lynchburg Va
Q-63
Inner Defenses 1864
Here ran the inner line of Lynchburg defenses thrown up by General D. H. Hill in June, 1864. General John C. Breckinridge, confronting General Hunter in the Shenandoah Valley. made a forced march to Forestall Hunter. Hill constructed a shallow line of trenches, occupied by Breckinridge, and hospital convalescents and home guards. it became a reserve line when General Early arrived.
Virginia Conservation Commission 1941
Located in Lynchburg Va
Q-65
Defense Works
On the crest of the hill just to the sourth was a redoubt forming part of the defenses thrown up by General D. H. Hill, June, 1864. These works were held by General Imboden's Cavalry. A military road was constructed to connect this point with Fort McCausland, signs of this road may still be seen in old Rivermont Park.
Virginia Conservation Commission 1941
Located in Lynchburg Va
Q-614
Randolph-Macon Woman's College
Founded by Dr. William Wauch Smith in 1891 and opened in 1893 as a member of the Randolph-Macon system of educational institutions. This liberal arts college has been recocnized from its opening year for its high standards of scholarship. The scenis campus of 100 acres extends to the James River.
Va State Library 1951
Located in Lynchburg Va
Q-67
Inner Defenses 1864
A line of shallow entrenchments extened from near this point along the crest of the hill to the east, these works were occupied by the cadets of the Virginia Military Institute, who had marched here with General Breckinridge after the institute at Lexington was burned by General Hunter.
Va Conservation Commission 1941
Located in Lynchburg (Local historical marker)
Garland Hill
Garland Hill was incoporated into the city in 1870 and takes its name from the Garland family. Known as "Quality Row" in the late 19th century Garland Hill was considered the most desirable area in which to live. In 1972, it became Lynchburg's first neighborhood to be placed on the National Register of Historical Places. The land from Third Street to Blackwater Creek was originally known as the William Bl Lynch farm, dating from the late 1700's. This land was inherited from his father, John Lynch, founder of Lynchburg.
Local Historic District Designated by City of Lynchburg
(Registered as a Virginia Historical Landmark pursurant to the authority vested in the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Act of 1966)
Located in Lynchburg Va
Diamond Hill
This popular residential area had its beginnings early in the 19th century and was annexed into the city in 1870. It gained prominence around the beginning of the 20th century with the construction of many large homes in the Victorian, Georgian and Colonial Revival styles by welathy industrialists, tavacconists, merchants, attorneys and professionals. Diamond Hill was listed int eh National Register of Historicl Places on October 1, 1979.
Local Historic District Designed by City of Lynchburg
Located ???
XH-2
Shawver Mill
The Shawver Mill community grew up here around the gristmill that George Shawvery built before 1860. William Leffel and Adam Britts soon built sawmills, and the community developed like many in Virginia during the 19th century. By 1911 it sustained a general store, Odd Fellows hall, post office, cemetery, two churches, and a baseball team. The end of milling operations in 1947, together with new road construction, diminished the community. by 1992 only the mill dam, the cemetery on the hill, and Chestrnut Grove Church survived.
Dept of Historic Resources 1992
Located on Rt 460 in Richlands, Tazewell County, Va
XL-4
Richlands
This fertile region was known as Richlands from an early period. In 1782 and later Richlands was a militia station for frontier defense. The town was laid off in 1890, with the coming of the Norfolk and Western Railroad, and was incorported in 1891. It is the center of an agricultural section.
Va Conservation Commission 19??
Dorton's Fort
About a mile southeast of here, stood Dortons Fort, built by William Dorton, Sr. before 1780. Although not attacked by Indians, the fort periodically sheltered apprehensive settlers. In April 1794, Dorton's son, William Dorton, Jr. and other militia men pursued a band of Indians, led by a half-Cherokee named Chief Benge, who had captured members of the Livingston Family on 6 April near the present day Mendota on the North Fork of the Holston River. Lt. Vincent Hobbs commanded the militia untit that killed Chief Benge and rescued the captives near Big Stone Gap.
Department of Historic Resources, 1995.