Philomont in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Bacon Fort

Photographed By T. Elizabeth Renich, April 9, 2022

1. Bacon Fort Marker

Inscription. In April 1756, amidst the perilous French and Indian War, Col. George Washington wrote Virginia Gov. Dinwiddie: "Desolation and murder still increase. The Blue Ridge is now our frontier." Bacon Fort, just east, was a small dwelling, likely stockaded to become a fort. At the first Loudoun County Court session, 12 July 1757, Bacon Fort is twice mentioned as a highway surveyor's landmark. In 1759, landowner Wm. West reconverted the fort to a house, then in March 1760 established a licensed ordinary (tavern), operated by Wm. Owsley. In June 1788, Washington "Halted at a small tavern Bacon Fort" (Diary). It survived into the 19th century. Nothing remains today.

Erected by Snickersville Turnpike Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • War, French and Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is July 12, 1757.

Location. 39° 4.722′ N, 77° 46.235′ W. Marker is in Philomont, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker is at the intersection of Snickersville Turnpike (Virginia Route 734) and Portrait Vista Lane, on the right when traveling north on Snickersville Turnpike. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Purcellville VA 20132, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this

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marker, measured as the crow flies. White Pump Drovers Tavern (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bushrod Lynn (approx. 1.6 miles away); Battle of Unison (approx. 2.2 miles away); Round Oak Rag Apple Elevation (approx. 2.2 miles away); Ebenezer Churches (approx. 2.6 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Unison (approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Unison (approx. 3.3 miles away); Welcome to Round Hill (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philomont.

Regarding Bacon Fort. At the end of July 1769, George and Martha Washington traveled with Martha's daughter, Patsy, and stayed at West's Ordinary on their way to Berkeley Springs (then known as Bath), WV. They lodged there again on their way back to Mount Vernon a month and a half later. (See Loudoun Discovered: Communities, Corners & Crossroads [Vol. 3, the Hunt Country and Middleburg] by Eugene M. Scheel, pg 80-81)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2022, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 46 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on April 9, 2022, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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