Near Sperryville in Rappahannock County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Rocks Older than Mankind
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 4, 2008
1. Rocks Older than Mankind Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 38° 39.123′ N, 78° 18.69′ W. Marker is near Sperryville, Virginia, in Rappahannock County. It is on Skyline Drive, on the left when traveling south. Located at the Tunnel Parking Overlook in Shenandoah National Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sperryville VA 22740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Marys Rock Tunnel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Greatest Single Feature (approx. Ύ mile away); Rappahannock County / Page County (approx. Ύ mile away); Thornton Gap (approx. Ύ mile away); William Randolph Barbee (approx. Ύ mile away); Gaps in the Story (approx. 2 miles away); Old Rag (approx. 2.1 miles away); If These Walls Could Talk (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sperryville.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Through the Gaps (was approx. 2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
this page online
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 4, 2008
2. Rocks Older than Mankind Marker
With the slope of Mary's Rock Mountain as the backdrop.
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 4, 2008
3. Mary's Rock Tunnel
The tunnel itself is cut through a section of what geologist call a Catoctin feeder dike, made from lava surging through a fissure in existing rock, over 1 billion years ago. The tunnels itself was blasted through the rock in 1932, then later lined with concrete to prevent ice formation. Sources vary as to the length of the tunnel. The marker states 700 feet. The map distance of the road is around 610 feet. The length of the rock cut is 690 feet. So take your pick for the length of the tunnel.
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 4, 2008
4. Thornton Gap
Looking east from the overlook. Thornton Gap was historically a significant crossing point over the Blue Ridge, used by Native Americans, explorers, settlers, Civil War armies, and today travelers on U.S. Highway 211.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,186 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
