Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Lost River

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 2007

1. Lost River Marker

Inscription. About 1812, workmen from the Saltpetre Cave heard the waters of the Lost River, and blasted the opening to it that you see today. A water main was attached to transport water to the hoppers and kettles used to extract the nitrate from the cave.

Legend has it that, in later years, several unsuccessful attempts were made to locate the underground channels of the Lost River. Colored dyes and flotation devices of all types have failed to determine the source and final destination of this mysterious subterranean river.

“{Natural Bridge} is something like being in a church. It almost brings tears to your eyes.”
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 37° 37.85′ N, 79° 33′ W. Marker was in Natural Bridge, Virginia, in Rockbridge County. It could be reached from the intersection of South Lee Highway (U.S. 11) and Wert Faulkner Highway (Virginia Route 130), on the left when traveling south. The marker is on the Cedar Creek Trail. Touch for map.

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Marker was at or near this postal address: 6477 S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge VA 24578, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Mountain Region.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 walking distance of this location: A Cave that Armed American Soldiers (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lost and Found (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington (approx. 0.3 miles away); Once Enslaved, He Became Natural Bridge's First Caretaker (approx. 0.3 miles away); A View Thousands of Years in the Making (approx. 0.3 miles away); “The Most Sublime of Nature’s Works”

Lost River emerging from the opening. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 2007

2. Lost River emerging from the opening.

(approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Natural Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); How Did It Happen? (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Natural Bridge.

Other markers no longer nearby. Saltpetre Cave (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Monacan Village (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Lace Waterfalls (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); Natural Bridge (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

<i>The Lost River at Natural Bridge</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard published by Tichnor Co., circa 1957

3. The Lost River at Natural Bridge

An earlier marker at this location, with the initial portion reading: Men have risked their lives trying to locate the meanderings of this stream, but have been unsuccessful...

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 3,368 times since then and 161 times this year. Last updated on July 20, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 19, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on July 20, 2017. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.