New Market in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fairfax Line

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 24, 2020

1. Fairfax Line Marker

Inscription. Here ran the Fairfax Line, surveyed in 1746 to mark the southwestern boundary of the Northern Neck Proprietary, a 5.2-million-acre land grant inherited by Thomas, 6th Lord Fairfax. The grant encompassed all the land between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers. Peter Jefferson and Robert Brooke, representing the Virginia colony, and Benjamin Winslow and Thomas Lewis, representing Lord Fairfax, surveyed this 76-mile line between the headsprings of these rivers during a nearly two-month expedition over several rugged and largely uninhabited mountain ranges. The Fairfax Line marks the boundary between Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties and, for nine miles, between Virginia and West Virginia.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number A-36.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1746.

Location. 38° 38.01′ N, 78° 40.973′ W. Marker is in New Market, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It

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is on North Valley Pike (U.S. 11) 0.1 miles south of Shady Lane, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Market VA 22844, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in 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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rockingham County / Shenandoah County (a few steps from this marker); Sevier’s Birthplace (a few steps from this marker); Shirley's Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of New Market Academy and New Market Polytechnic Institute (approx. 1.1 miles away); Replica of a 19th Century Town Pump (approx. 1.1 miles away); Paul Henkel (approx. 1.1 miles away);

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 24, 2020

2. Fairfax Line Marker

Looking south.

The Henkel House (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named The Henkel House (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Market.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fairfax Line (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This is a replacement marker with the same name and number as the original.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Fairfax Line"

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 917 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.