Waterford in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mill to Market
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 1, 2019
To ensure access to the village and its mills, he and fellow farmers petitioned for a covered bridge over nearby Catoctin Creek. The bridge washed away in the same storm that caused the 1889 Johnstown Flood. For more than 200 years, Waterford's flour fed families near and far. The last mill closed in 1939.
[Captions:]
For many decades Waterford produced flour, cornmeal, leather, iron goods, furniture, and caskets. Wagons drawn by oxen or horses carried the goods to regional markets.
Roads carved out of the wilderness in the 1700s radiated from Waterford like the spokes of a wheel—and are still in use today. British General Braddock's troops rode down Old Wheatland Road (behind you) on his ill-fated expedition against the French and Indians in 1755.
Waterford's farmers and manufacturers hoped to have their own canal or railroad. However, when the B&O Railroad and C&O Canal came to Point of Rocks, Maryland, in the 1830s, that river town became Waterford's link to Eastern seaboard markets. Not until after the Civil War did a railroad come to Virginia's Loudoun Valley.
Erected by Waterford Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • War, French and Indian • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), the Braddock’s Road and Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock, and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 39° 11.412′ N, 77° 37.063′ W. Marker is in Waterford, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker is at the intersection of Old Wheatland Road (Virginia Route 698) and Milltown Road (Virginia Route 681), on the right when traveling east on Old Wheatland Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40024 Old Wheatland Road, Waterford VA 20197, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Phillips Farm (here, next to this marker); The Waterford Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); How it Works (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waterford - An Old Mill Town (approx. 0.2 miles away); Waterford (approx. 0.2 miles away); Independent Loudoun Virginia Rangers
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 1, 2019
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 1, 2019
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 207 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 1, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.