Near Montvale in Bedford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Colonial Fort

Photographed By Martha Fisher, May 29, 2011

1. Colonial Fort Marker

Inscription. 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 eastward.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-121.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • War, French and Indian. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1755.

Location. 37° 22.292′ N, 79° 41.975′ W. Marker is near Montvale, Virginia, in Bedford County. Marker is on West Lynchburg Salem Turnpike (U.S. 460) 0.3 miles west of Circle K Road (Virginia Route 751), in the median. Touch for map

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. Marker is in this post office area: Montvale VA 24122, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Botetourt County / Bedford County (approx. 3.7 miles away); 1889 Thaxton Train Wreck (approx. 4.2 miles away); Appalachian Trail (approx. 5.2 miles away); Peaks of Otter (approx. 7.1 miles away); A Community at "the Mons" (approx. 7.1 miles away); a different marker also named Peaks of Otter (approx. 7.1 miles away); Hunter's Bivouac (approx. 7.3 miles away); Abbott Lake (approx. 7.4 miles away).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This sequence of markers show Mary Ingle’s journey from her capture to her return.

US Rt 460 (facing east) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Martha Fisher, May 29, 2011

2. US Rt 460 (facing east)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,423 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.