Boydton in Mecklenburg County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Boydton and Petersburg Plank Road

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

1. Boydton and Petersburg Plank Road Marker

Inscription. The Boydton and Petersburg Plank Road was built between 1851 and 1853 and was funded by stock bought by the state as well as the public. The all-weather toll road increased the transportation of crops to market and also carried stagecoach traffic between Boydton and Petersburg. The road was constructed of pine and oak planks eight feet long, one foot wide, and three to four inches thick laid across parallel beams, slanted slightly to improve drainage. A ten-foot-wide shoulder let vehicles pass each other. By 1860 the road, except for an 1856 extension to Clarksville, was declared unsafe, due to heavy wear, poorly suited untreated lumber, and the collapse of the Meherrin River Bridge.

Erected 2001 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number UL-6.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 36° 39.764′ N, 78° 24.375′ W. Marker is in Boydton, Virginia, in Mecklenburg County. Marker is on Highway Fifty Eight (U.S. 58) 0.1 miles east of Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling

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east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boydton VA 23917, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Revolutionary Soldier (here, next to this marker); Old Randolph-Macon College (here, next to this marker); Taylor's Ferry (a few steps from this marker); Boydton Academic and Bible Institute (a few steps from this marker); Esso Gas Station (approx. one mile away); Monument to Confederate Soldiers of Mecklenburg (approx. one mile away); Boydton (approx. 1.1 miles away); Boyd Tavern (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boydton.

US Rt 58 (facing east) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

2. US Rt 58 (facing east)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 886 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.