The Market Square

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 5, 2007

1. The Market Square Marker

Inscription. The space you are standing in is historic Market Square. When Fredericksburg was created in 1728, seven leading landowners in Spotsylvania County were appointed to design the town. The men set aside this block for use by the Anglican Church and the public market, In its early years, the square was the site of numerous activities such as fairs and militia musters. After the Revolution, the town council created and ran a market in this space for “… the sale and vending of all manner of cattle, victuals, provisions, goods, wares and merchandizes whatsoever.” This outdoor market continued to operate in the Square until the late 19th century. Today, this small space is all that is left of Fredericksburg’s original market place.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1728.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 18.188′ N, 77° 27.599′ W. Marker was in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It could be reached from Princess Anne Street south of William Street (Business Virginia Route 3). Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 907 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

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 10 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Market Square (here,

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next to this marker); The Second Town Hall (here, next to this marker); Presented to the City of Fredericksburg (a few steps from this marker); Lafayette's Tour (within shouting distance of this marker); Emancipation Proclamation Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Center of Eighteenth Century Urban Life (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Footsteps (within shouting distance of this marker); St. George's Graveyard (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Barton House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Randolph Ball (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Second Town Hall / Market House (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Auction Block (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); First Town Hall / Market House (was within shouting distance

Market in the mid-20th century. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 5, 2007

2. Market in the mid-20th century.

of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Gun from the CSS Virginia (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.

Market Square and Second Town Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 4, 2007

3. Market Square and Second Town Hall

Muster Reenactment in Market Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 4, 2007

4. Muster Reenactment in Market Square

March Muster is one of the several annual events now held at the Market Square. Public events such as this one have helped restore the Square to once again being a center of activity in downtown Fredericksburg.

Confederate Reenactors Drill in the Market Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, December 13, 2008

5. Confederate Reenactors Drill in the Market Square

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,287 times since then and 82 times this year. Last updated on June 10, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 5, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on December 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.