Grottoes in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Civil War Tourism Attraction
Soldiers Visit Weyers Cave
Photographed by Craig Swain
1. Civil War Tourism Attraction Marker
Up the hill to your left is the entrance to Grand Caverns, known as Weyers Cave during the Civil War. Discovered in 1804, it soon became famous. During the Shenandoah Valley campaigns of 1862 and 1864, several Union and Confederate soldiers visited the caverns.
For almost a week beginning on June 12, 1862, after the Battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic, Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's army camped along the South River between Weyers Cave and Mount Meridian. The men enjoyed a much-needed rest after Jackson's famous campaign, during which Union forces were defeated. Some of the soldiers entertained themselves with candlelit tours of Weyers Cave. By June 18, Jackson's men were marching east to join their commander in the defense of Richmond, the Confederate capital.
In 1864, Union Gen. Philip H. Sheridan directed a campaign in the Shenandoah Valley that became famous for its destruction of mills and barns in the autumn. The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry bivouacked near Weyers Cave on September 26-27, a week after the Third Battle of Winchester. The unit was pursuing the wagon train of Confederate Gen.
this page online
Grand Caverns was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Natural Features • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the National Natural Landmarks, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 12, 1862.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 15.535′ N, 78° 50.079′ W. Marker was in Grottoes, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It was on Grand Caverns Drive, on the right when traveling west. Located between the parking area and the visitor center for Grand Caverns, at the trailhead for the path to the cavern entrance. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 5 Grand Caverns Drive, Grottoes
Photographed by Craig Swain
2. Marker at the Trailhead
Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: Augusta Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Honoring Their Sacrifice (a few steps from this marker); The Blue Ridge in Augusta County Before Shenandoah National Park (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Civil War Tourism Attraction (a few steps from this marker); Grand Caverns Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gladys E. Kellow Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); George Caleb Bingham (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all
Photographed by Craig Swain
3. Signatures on Cave Wall
Capt. William W. Miles's signature on cave wall - Courtesy Town of Grottoes
Also see . . . Grand Caverns. Website for the caverns. (Submitted on June 19, 2021, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain
4. Hotchkiss Map
Part of Jedediah hotchkiss map of Shenandoah Valley, 1862, drawn for Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. - Courtesy Library of Congress.
The star indicates the location of Weyers Cave.
The star indicates the location of Weyers Cave.
Photographed by Craig Swain
5. Gen. Jackson
General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. -Courtesy Library of Congress.
Photographed by Craig Swain
6. Cave by Candlelight
Weyers Cave Bridal Chamber by candlelight, 1854. -Courtesy Town of Grottoes
Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2021, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,313 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 29, 2021, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 19, 2021, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
