Shepherdstown in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
In Honor of James Rumsey
Photographed By Patricia Strat, June 27, 2022
1. In Honor of James Rumsey Marker
Inventor of the Steamboat who in October, A.D. 1783, on the Potomac River near the mouth of Sir John's Run made the first successful application of steam to the practical purpose of navigation and who on December 3rd, 1787, made a further successful demonstration on the Potomac River at Shepherdstown, Virginia about three hundred yards above this site.
Erected 1915 by State of West Virginia / Rumseyan Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1936.
Location. 39° 25.972′ N, 77° 47.923′ W. Marker is in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Rumsey Monument Road, on the right. Located in Rumsey Monument Park, overlooking the Potomac River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 206 North Mill Street, Shepherdstown WV 25443, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Waterfront Commerce and the Mecklenburg Warehouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blackford's Ford (approx. ¼ mile away in Maryland); Shepherdstown (approx. ¼ mile away in Maryland); The Puffinbarger House (approx. ¼ mile away); Lutheran Graveyard (approx. 0.3 miles away); A View into the Past
this page online
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 28, 2007
2. East Facing Side of Monument
A relief depicting Rumsey's steamboat crossing the Patomac.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 28, 2007
3. The Monument
The monument itself is a Greek column with a globe on top.
Photographed By Patricia Strat, June 27, 2022
4. The Rumsey marker is visible on the monument.
The Rumsey Monument sits on a bluff above the Potomac River.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 28, 2007
5. Rumsey's Demonstration
Looking upriver at the present day Rumsey Bridge, based on the description on the marker, the site of the demonstration was in the vicinity of the old bridge pilings.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 28, 2007
6. The Monument as Seen from the Rumsey Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,739 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 28, 2022, by Patricia Strat of Oakton, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on June 28, 2022, by Patricia Strat of Oakton, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on July 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
