Near Triangle in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Potomac Path
The King’s Highway
Photographed By Kevin W., January 21, 2008
1. The King's Highway ~ The Potomac Path Marker
The route was first cleared on land south of what became Prince William County during the 17th century. Then known as the Potomac Path, the route passed through Dumfries after it crossed the Occoquan River at Colchester.
Road Maintenance
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Virginia law required landowners to annually contribute time to road maintenance. Slaves and tenants largely maintained the King’s Highway in Prince William County.
Sections of the King’s Highway were paved in the 1920s and incorporated into U.S. Route 1. Route 1 loosely follows the Potomac Path through Prince William County. Segments of the colonial road are now protected.
Traveling Armies
In 1781, Generals George Washington and Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau used the King’s Highway to reach Yorktown with their cavalry and wagons. Eighty years later, Federal and Confederate troops followed the road during numerous Civil War campaigns.
this page online
Erected 2007 by the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Prince William County.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Military • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the The Washington-Rochambeau Route series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.
Location. 38° 32.71′ N, 77° 20.537′ W. Marker is near Triangle, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker can be reached from Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1). Marker is located on the grounds of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, to the right of the main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Triangle VA 22172, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. TBS Class 4-69 KIA (within shouting distance of this marker); 22nd Marines WWII (within shouting distance of this marker); LtCol Lew Dement USMC (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memoriam (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 12, 2021
2. The Potomac Path Marker
The marker has weathered some.
More about this marker. On the left is a map detailing the route then known as the Potomac Path. The map carries the caption, "This detail of Peter Jefferson’s and Joshua Fry’s 1751 Map of the most inhabited part of Virginia containing the whole province of Maryland with part of Pensilvania, New Jersey, and North Carolina shows the Potomac Path’s route through Prince William County (highlighted in blue)." The marker identifies the source as Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
The lower center of the marker displays a 1768 newspaper article. It carries the caption, “Mail was carried over the King’s Highway and delivered to post offices along the route. This notice in the July 7, 1768 Alexandria Gazette lists people who had letters
Photographed By Kevin W., January 21, 2008
3. The King's Highway ~ The Potomac Path Marker
Also see . . . Virtual Tour of The King's Highway. (Submitted on January 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,600 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 12, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on January 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
