Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Dix's Ferry

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

1. Dix's Ferry Marker

Inscription. In 1766 John Dix established his ferry approximately three miles south of here on the Dan River. During the American Revolution, in February 1781, the ferry was a strategic site in Gen. Nathanael Greene's “race to the Dan,” the pursuit of Greene to the Dan River in Virginia by British Gen. Charles Cornwallis. The ferry also transported troops and supplies for Greene's army in his actions against Cornwallis at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. In 1791 President George Washington crossed the Dan River on the ferry as he returned from his 1,887-mile southern tour.

Erected 2007 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number U-39.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1781.

Location. 36° 34.851′ N, 79° 20.426′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is at the intersection of South Boston Road (U.S. 58) and Kentuck Road (Virginia Route 729), on the right when traveling east on South

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Boston Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Danville VA 24540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: Archer T. Gammon (approx. 0.7 miles away); USS Buffalo (SSN-715) (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Archer T. Gammon (approx. 1½ miles away); Battle of the Bulge (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Korean War (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Vietnam War (approx. 1.8 miles away); Staff Sergeant Archer T. Gammon (approx. 1.8 miles away); Defending Freedom (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map

US 58 (facing east) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

2. US 58 (facing east)

of all markers in Danville.

US 58 (Facing west) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2024

3. US 58 (Facing west)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,967 times since then and 122 times this year. Last updated on September 14, 2017, by Samuel Paik of Gainesville, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on December 7, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.