Harrisonburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Big Spring
Our Anchor in Time
“For generations this great spring was the main source of water supply for the town. Before the white man settled around it the Indians and the buffaloes knew it well. It was at the crossing of two old trails—one up and down the Valley, since widened into the Valley Turnpike, the other crossing the Valley from east to west. During the Civil war thousands of soldiers, Blue and Gray, quenched their thirst at this generous place of refreshment. But some time after 1896,when the new court house was erected, the court house square was paved and the old spring had to go the way of civilization.” —Art Folio of the Shenandoah Valley, John Wayland, 1924.
New Springhouse dedicated April 30, 1995. Margaret Grattan Weaver, benefactor.
(on a small brass tablet to the right) The Springhouse was especially enjoyed when Judge George Gilmer Grattan held court on “Court Day” each Monday. • It is our duty to our citizens to recall for them some of the customs, institutions and monuments time has left behind. —The Grattans
Erected 1995.
Topics.
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Location. 38° 26.95′ N, 78° 52.17′ W. Marker is in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Marker is on Courthouse Square (U.S. 33) east of West Market Street (U.S. 33), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harrisonburg VA 22801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Honor of Charles Watson Wentworth (within shouting distance of this marker); Harrisonburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlotte Harris Lynched (within shouting distance of this marker); Court Square & Springhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); McNeill’s Rangers (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bishop Francis Asbury (about 600 feet away); The Harrisonburg Downtown Historic District (about 700 feet away); Hardesty-Higgins House (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisonburg.
More about this marker. Brass tablet is also inscribed with lists of patrons, sponsors, and donors along with a list entitled “In Appreciation.”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2008
4. New Springhouse and 1896 Court House
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2008
5. The Big Spring
The Big Spring now bubbles up at the center of this rock and flows over the sides of the rock and back under Courthouse Square. The stream emerges a block away south of Water Street between Liberty and Main Streets, behind a parking garage. A sign on the spring in Spanish and English reads “Aqua está mala, favor de no beber. Do not drink water.”
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,607 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5. submitted on September 23, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
