Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Colonial Fort

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 13, 2007

1. Colonial Fort Marker

Inscription. The Virginia General Assembly authorized the construction of a fort built nearby along the Rappahannock River in 1676. It served as a defensive fortification for settlers of European descent on the frontier when periodic conflicts occurred between Virginia Indians and settlers. Maj. Lawrence Smith commanded the fort. Smith had patented 6,300 acres of property with Robert Taliaferro in the region in 1666. Smith later obtained more land nearby. The fort was abandoned about 1682, when the General Assembly ordered the dismantling of many of these structures.

Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-46.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1676.

Location. 38° 15.803′ N, 77° 26.285′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It is at the intersection of Tidewater Trail (Virginia Route 2) and Mansfield Club Drive, on the right when traveling south on Tidewater Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22408, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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: The Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Fredericksburg

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Fredericksburg (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fredericksburg Campaign (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Marker along SR 2 (Tidewater Trail) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 13, 2007

2. Marker along SR 2 (Tidewater Trail)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,640 times since then and 153 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.