Near Lake Ridge in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Washington-Rochambeau Wagon Route

February 12, 2011

1. Washington ~ Rochambeau Wagon Route Marker

Inscription. In September 1781, General George Washington directed the repair and clearing of roads leading to and from Wolf Run Shoals, the main ford of the Occoquan River, located seven miles upstream from the main ferry at Colchester. Prince William and Fairfax militia men accomplished this arduous task, allowing Washington's Continental Army and Rochambeau’s French Expeditionary Force, complete with wagon trains and artillery, to cross Occoquan on September 27, 1781, en route to the Battle of Yorktown. The road and ford continued to be used after the Revolutionary War. During the Civil War, defensive trenches and artillery batteries guarded the crossing. The ford became part of State Road 610 until flooded by the construction of Ryons Hydroelectric Dam in the late 1920s.

Erected 2006 by Prince William County Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, the The Washington-Rochambeau Route, and the Virginia, Prince William County Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1781.

Location. 38° 42.96′ N, 77° 21.576′ W. Marker is near

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Lake Ridge, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is on Wolf Run Shoals Road north of Observer Lane, on the right. Marker is located at Wolf Run Shoals Road, Overlook cul-de-sac. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5041 Wolf Run Shoals Road, Woodbridge VA 22192, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Enslaved Burial Ground at Ford's Mill (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ford's Mill at Wolf Run Shoals (approx. 0.8 miles away); Wolf Run Shoals (approx. 0.8 miles away); This Is Fountainhead! (approx. 1.7 miles away); Bacon Race Church and Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away); Military Operations (approx. 1.7 miles away); Bacon Race Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); Oak Grove - Bacon Race Church (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Ridge.

Also see . . . The National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association, Inc. (Submitted on February 12, 2011.)

February 12, 2011

2. Washington ~ Rochambeau Wagon Route Marker

Washington Rochambeau Wagon Route sign image. Click for full size.

February 12, 2011

3. Washington Rochambeau Wagon Route sign

September 27, 1781

View of the Occoquan River from Overlook image. Click for full size.

February 12, 2011

4. View of the Occoquan River from Overlook

From near the area of Wolf Run Shoals ford.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2011. This page has been viewed 3,610 times since then and 98 times this year. Last updated on October 3, 2023. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 12, 2011. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.