Port Royal in Caroline County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Old Port Royal

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 1, 2009

1. Old Port Royal Marker

Inscription. The town was established in 1744 and was one of the principal shipping points on the Rappahannock River in colonial times. In December, 1862, Burnside, commanding the Army of the Potomac, considered crossing the river here but finally moved up to Fredericksburg. Union gunboats, attempting to pass up the river at that time, were driven back by D. H. Hill.

Erected 1928 by Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number N-17.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1862.

Location. 38° 10.148′ N, 77° 11.528′ W. Marker is in Port Royal, Virginia, in Caroline County. It is on King Street 0.1 miles north of Cumberland Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Royal VA 22535, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: The Sacred Lot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Port Royal (about 600 feet away); The Fox Tavern: A Colonial Landmark (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dorothy Roy

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Peter's Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Earliest Inhabitants: Native Americans (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Port Royal (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Port Royal (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Royal.

Also see . . .
1. Welcome To Historic Port Royal. Historic Port Royal, Inc. (Submitted on August 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. Port Royal Historic District. Virginia Department of Historic Resources website entry (Submitted on December 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 1, 2009

2. Old Port Royal Marker

King Street facing north. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 1, 2009

3. King Street facing north.

Port Royal, Va. The Rappahannock River front during the evacuation. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, May 30, 1864

4. Port Royal, Va. The Rappahannock River front during the evacuation.

Library of Congress [LC-B811-2491A]

Nearby "Fox Tavern" circa 1759. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2009

5. Nearby "Fox Tavern" circa 1759.

Frequented by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,322 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on September 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.