Near Arcadia Farm in Clarke County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Colonial Highway

By Craig Swain, July 8, 2007

1. Colonial Highway Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This is one of the oldest roads leading from the east to the Shenandoah Valley; It crosses the Blue Ridge at Snicker’s Gap. The ferry right over the Shenandoah River was granted, 1766. Washington used this road many times. Some distance to the east the first aerial telegraph signals were sent from the roadside, 1868.

Erected 1947 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number T-8.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 39° 7.774′ N, 77° 54.583′ W. Marker is near Arcadia Farm, Virginia, in Clarke County. Marker is at the intersection of Harry Byrd Highway (Virginia Route 7) and Quarry Road (Virginia Route 612), on the right when traveling east on Harry Byrd Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3940 Harry Byrd Hwy, Berryville VA 22611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Castleman’s Ferry Fight (approx. 0.7 miles away); Battle of Cool Spring (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Retreat (approx. 1.3 miles

Marker at the Intersection of Harry Byrd Highway and Quarry Road image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, July 8, 2007

2. Marker at the Intersection of Harry Byrd Highway and Quarry Road

away); a different marker also named Battle of Cool Spring (approx. 1.8 miles away); Col. George D. Wells Leads the Way (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Cool Spring (approx. 2.2 miles away); Judge Parker's “Retreat” & the Battle of Cool Spring (approx. 2.2 miles away); Confederate Counterattack and Union Retreat (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arcadia Farm.

Colonial Highway Through Snicker's Gap image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, July 8, 2007

3. Colonial Highway Through Snicker's Gap

Modern day Harry Byrd Highway passes through Snicker's Gap at roughly the same location as the historical Colonial Highway. Castelman's Ferry operated across the river near the bridge.

Snicker's Ford image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, July 8, 2007

4. Snicker's Ford

Just upstream from the modern day Harry Byrd Highway bridge and the historic site of Castelman's Ferry is Snicker's Ford, which served as an alternate crossing point for the Colonial Highway traffic. The boat ramp on the left is directly under the modern day bridge.

Shepherd's Ford image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, July 8, 2007

5. Shepherd's Ford

Further upstream at a bend in the river is Shepherd's Ford, also an alternative crossing for Colonial Highway traffic. Federal forces attempted crossings here during the Battle of Cool Spring in 1864.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,527 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.