Eastern Continental Divide and 1763 Proclamation Line. . Main Street, near here, crosses a barely perceptible ridge line. This line divides water flowing east to the Atlantic Ocean, via the Roanoke River basin, from water flowing west to the Gulf of Mexico, via the New, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers. In October 1763, by Royal Proclamation, King George III forbade Virginians to settle west of this line. Virginians considered the taking up of western land as their natural right. Shutting off access to this land was a provocation that accelerated the building momentum in Virginia for the coming American Revolution.
Main Street, near here, crosses a barely perceptible ridge line. This line divides water flowing east to the Atlantic Ocean, via the Roanoke River basin, from water flowing west to the Gulf of Mexico, via the New, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers. In October 1763, by Royal Proclamation, King George III forbade Virginians to settle west of this line. Virginians considered the taking up of western land as their natural right. Shutting off access to this land was a provocation that accelerated the building momentum in Virginia for the coming American Revolution.
Location. 37° 13.329′ N, 80° 24.355′ W. Marker is in Blacksburg, Virginia, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of South Main Street (Business U.S. 460) and Graves Avenue, on the right when traveling west on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blacksburg VA 24060, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 663 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.