Stevensburg in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Historic Stevensburg

Crossroads Community

— Crossroads and Conflict —

Historic Stevensburg Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 20, 2020

1. Historic Stevensburg Marker

Inscription.

Historic Stevensburg. Crossroads Community. Founded in 1782, Stevensburg sits at the important intersection of the Old Carolina Road and Kirtley Road - the intersection where you now stand. The community is named for General Edward Stevens, a local Revolutionary War leader and state politician. The Old Carolina road (Route 633) served east-west traffic. surrounded by large plantations, this community would have offered a place to stop and rest in the decades following the Revolutionary War., Transportation and commerce shaped Stevensburg's early development. The town had several taverns, a doctor's office, and a nearby campsite for wagon teams that trucked produce to and from Fredericksburg, the major trade center nearby. Quakers lived in Stevensburg during the late 18th century, but left as the town's population grew to 200 people by the early 19th century. While that population seems small today, it was briefly the largest town in Culpeper County and considered as a potential site for the University of Virginia. , By the mid-1800s, Stevensburg's population had declined as Culpeper Court House grew to the west. The county's ethnic population changed as enslaved and African-descendant free men and women became the majority. Of 12,063 people in Culpeper County in 1860, 6,675 were enslaved and 429 were free blacks. Stevensburg served as an important crossroads in the Civil War, positioned halfway from the Union capital of Washington, D.C. and the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Union and Confederate troops fought in the area throughout the war, including the Battle of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. The ongoing fighting left Stevensburg in ruins by the end of the war., Sidebar, bottom of marker: , Stevensburg gained a notorious reputation for horseracing and cockfighting through the late 18th and early 19th centuries, especially at the wagon camp known as Wicked Bottom located southeast of this sign. . This historical marker was erected in 2020 by Virginia Department of Transportation. It is in Stevensburg in Culpeper County Virginia

Founded in 1782, Stevensburg sits at the important intersection of the Old Carolina Road and Kirtley Road - the intersection where you now stand. The community is named for General Edward Stevens, a local Revolutionary War leader and state politician. The Old Carolina road (Route 633) served east-west traffic. surrounded by large plantations, this community would have offered a place to stop and rest in the decades following the Revolutionary War.

Transportation and commerce shaped Stevensburg's early development. The town had several taverns, a doctor's office, and a nearby campsite for wagon teams that trucked produce to and from Fredericksburg, the major trade center nearby. Quakers lived in Stevensburg during the late 18th century, but left as the town's population grew to 200 people by the early 19th century. While that population seems small today, it was briefly the largest town in Culpeper County and considered as a potential site for the University of Virginia.

By the mid-1800s, Stevensburg's population had declined as Culpeper Court House grew to the west. The county's ethnic population changed as enslaved and African-descendant

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

free men and women became the majority. Of 12,063 people in Culpeper County in 1860, 6,675 were enslaved and 429 were free blacks. Stevensburg served as an important crossroads in the Civil War, positioned halfway from the Union capital of Washington, D.C. and the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Union and Confederate troops fought in the area throughout the war, including the Battle of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863. The ongoing fighting left Stevensburg in ruins by the end of the war.

Sidebar, bottom of marker:
Stevensburg gained a notorious reputation for horseracing and cockfighting through the late 18th and early 19th centuries, especially at the wagon camp known as Wicked Bottom located southeast of this sign.

Erected 2020 by Virginia Department of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is June 9, 1863.

Location. 38° 26.502′ N, 77° 53.443′ W. Marker is in Stevensburg, Virginia, in Culpeper County. Marker is at the intersection of York Road (State Road 600) and Germanna Highway (State Highway 3), on the right when traveling east on York Road. Located at an interpretive pull off on the east end of Stevensburg. Touch for map

Maps on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 20, 2020

2. Maps on Marker

Left: Stevensburg, Brandy Station, and Culpeper during the Civil War (Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

Right: Stevensburg Map, with locations of historic houses, c. 1860. "Ashby" is the location of Rose Hill and "Barbour" is the location of Clover Hill, both used as cavalry headquarters during the Civil War (Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

. Marker is in this post office area: Stevensburg VA 22741, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Religion in Stevensburg (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Religion in Stevensburg (here, next to this marker); Battlefield Preservation (here, next to this marker); The Civil War in Stevensburg (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Civil War in Stevensburg (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Civil War in Stevensburg (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Civil War in Stevensburg (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Historic Stevensburg, Virginia (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stevensburg.

Regarding Historic Stevensburg. The marker discusses the intersection of the Old Carolina Road and Kirtley Road. The narrative was written before the exact placement of the marker was established. The actual historical intersection is about 1000 yards west of the marker at the intersection of Stevensburg Road (CR 663, which the marker incorrectly cites as CR 633) and York Road and

Clover Hill, 1864 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 20, 2020

3. Clover Hill, 1864

Headquarters for Brigadier General G.A. Custer and originally the home of prominent lawyer and Confederate Major John Barbour (Courtesy of the Clark B. Hall Collection)

Stevensburg Interpretive Pulloff image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 20, 2020

4. Stevensburg Interpretive Pulloff

Clover Hill, Today image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 23, 2017

5. Clover Hill, Today

The Barbour house, known as Clover Hill, is on private property, located west of the marker location, just outside Stevensburg.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 8, 2013

6. Rose Hill

Rose Hill, mentioned on the caption for the maps, is located southwest of the marker location, on private property.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2020, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 588 times since then and 226 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 12, 2020, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2020, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 12, 2020, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on July 13, 2020, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.