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

The Vestal's Gap Road

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 14, 2009

1. The Vestal's Gap Road Marker

Inscription. This sector of the road, through Claude Moore Park, closely resembles the road as it appeared in this area's early history. This great road ran from the port city of Alexandria, Virginia through Vestal's Gap of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It began as an animal trail, then was adopted by the Native Americans in this region as their path, and later was used by settlers as they moved from tidewater Virginia to that colony's western frontier.

Due to its association with people and events important in American history, a notable historian stated that it should be classified as one of the most historic roads in the United States.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 39° 1.132′ N, 77° 24.374′ W. Marker is in Sterling, Virginia, in Loudoun County. It is on Old Vestals Gap Road, on the right when traveling east. Located along the walking path and service road which follows the old road trace in Claude Moore Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sterling VA 20164, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

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: George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named George Washington

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Braddock Campaign (about 700 feet away); Guilford Signal Station (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Vestal's Gap Road (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Vestal's Gap Road (about 700 feet away); Lanesville Architecture (about 700 feet away); Lanesville Historic Area (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sterling.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 30, 2020

2. The Vestal's Gap Road Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,438 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 17, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on December 30, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.