Dayton in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Harrison

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, February 20, 2009

1. Fort Harrison Marker

Inscription. Daniel Harrison settled about 1745 at the headwaters of Cook’s Creek where it is believed he built the stone portion of the present house. During the decades 1750-1770, when this area was the frontier of the colony, the house served the settlers as a refuge from Indian attacks. Subsequent owners added the brick portion and enlarged the windows and doors. The Harrison family had large land holdings in present Augusta and Rockingham counties.

Erected 1984 by Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number D-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • War, French and Indian. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1745.

Location. 38° 25.086′ N, 78° 56.154′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It is on Main Street (Business Virginia Route 42) south of Eberly Road ( Route 732), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 335 Main Street, Dayton VA 22821, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 walking distance of this marker: Working Hard at Home (here, next to this marker); Mysteries along Cooks Creek (a few steps

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from this marker); Journey to the Wilderness (a few steps from this marker); Establishing a Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneering the Wilderness (within shouting distance of this marker); Prospering in the Back Country (within shouting distance of this marker); Shenandoah College and Shenandoah Conservatory of Music (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); College Days (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, February 20, 2009

2. Fort Harrison Marker

National Register of Historic Places Marker on Fort Harrison image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 22, 2025

3. National Register of Historic Places Marker on Fort Harrison

Fort Harrison image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, February 20, 2009

4. Fort Harrison

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,734 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 25, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 3. submitted on July 31, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on February 25, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.