Near Middletown in Frederick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Heater House
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 29, 2007
1. Heater House Marker
A Virtual Tour of the Battle of Cedar Creek by HMDb Markers
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Probably built around 1800, this clapboard-covered log house was once the center of a prosperous 600 acre farm owned by Solomon and Caroline Wunder Heater. Although two of her sons died in Confederate service, Mrs. Heater, a native of Pennsylvania, was a Unionist and frequently provided shelter and supplies to the federals. Her loyalty was ultimately repaid by a 1901 federal grant for some wartime damages.
by
Candice and John Richards
of Pennsylvania
Erected by Blue and Gray Education Society and Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.
Location. 39° 1.171′ N, 78° 17.56′ W. Marker is near Middletown, Virginia, in Frederick County. Marker is on Valley Pike (U.S. 11), on the right when traveling south. Located at a pull-off overlooking the Heater House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Middletown VA 22645, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vermont at Cedar Creek (here, next to this marker); Battle of Cedar Creek (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Cedar Creek (a few steps from this marker); N.C. Troops at Cedar Creek
this page online
More about this marker. On the left the marker displays "The Heater House, Middletown, Virginia." And on the right is a map of "The Battle of Cedar Creek: Troop movements from 5 A.M. to 10 A.M."
Regarding Heater House. The Cedar Creek battlefield is interpreted by several markers. See the Battle of Cedar Creek Virtual Tour by Markers link above.
Also see . . . A House Divided - Heater House. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on October 17, 2014.)
Additional commentary.
1. The Heater's Confederate sons
The two sons mentioned in the marker were John Philip Heater and Henry W. Heater.
John was a resident of Middletown
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 29, 2007
2. The Battle Map
Henry W. Heater was a resident of Front Royal at the opening of the war and also enlisted in Co. E, 7th Virginia Cavalry, though he enlisted at Romney. He is listed as a 3rd corporal in November 1862, and a 2nd corporal by February 1864. Wounded at Funkstown, Maryland on 7/7/63, he was detached on hospital duty in Staunton for several months in 1864. However, he was captured at Point of Rocks, Va. (Loudoun County) on 8/13/64, was paroled at Staunton, and was later "caught with arms and prowling about the country as a guerrilla;" quite a difference between his sentiments and those of his mother. He was confined in Old Capitol Prison, 8/13/64. Following transfer to Ft. Delaware later that month, he died on March 18, 1865 of small pox and was buried at Finn's Point Cemetery, New Jersey (though there is a headstone for him at the Stonewall Cemetery in Winchester.
— Submitted March 27, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 29, 2007
3. Circle Tour and Heater House Markers at the Pulloff
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 19, 2023
4. The Heater House
The Heater House is currently not open to the public, as the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation and National Park Service are working on plans to restore the house to its original appearance.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 29, 2007
5. The Heater House
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2014
6. Heater House
Photographed By Shane Oliver, November 14, 2015
7. View of the Historic Heater House
The Heater House is not open to the public, as the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation and National Park Service are currently working to restore the house's interior. The best way to view the house is to pull over into the gravel pull-off near the "Heater House" Marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2007. This page has been viewed 2,606 times since then and 77 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 5, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on October 29, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 5. submitted on November 5, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on October 17, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on November 28, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
