Fort Ashby in Mineral County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Welcome to Ashby's Fort

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 7, 2023

1. Welcome to Ashby's Fort Marker

Inscription. You are standing on the site where soldiers under the command of George Washington built one of two fortified outposts on the Virginia frontier during the French & Indian War.
In July of 1755, Washington was with General Edward Braddock during the British commander's failed attempt to take Fort Duquesne, at the site of modern-day Pittsburgh.
Their dramatic defeat emboldened French, Shawnee, and Delaware raiding parties to begin terrorizing British colonists along the Virginia frontier, forcing them to flee eastward.

In response, the newly appointed Colonel of the Virginia Regiment, 23-year old. George Washington, ordered immediate construction of two forts to defend the Virginia frontier.
The fort on this site was built and occupied by Captain John Ashby's 2nd Company of Rangers, under the supervision of Lt. John Bacon of Maryland. Washington located the other outpost, Cockes' Fort, on the plantation of George Parker, twelve miles south on Patterson's Creek.
Ashby's men finished construction of their fortified position less than six weeks after receiving Washington's order; by early December Ashby's Fort was an active, essential stronghold on the frontier.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1755.

Location. 39°

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30.325′ N, 78° 45.917′ W. Marker is in Fort Ashby, West Virginia, in Mineral County. It is on Silver Maple Street. Located on the grounds of the Fort Ashby Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 237 Dans Run Road, Fort Ashby WV 26719, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Eastern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Washington's Orders (a few steps from this marker); Women at the Fort (a few steps from this marker); Old Fort (a few steps from this marker); Step Back in Time (a few steps from this marker); The Work Continues (a few steps from this marker); Fort Ashby (a few steps from this marker); The Archaeological Evidence (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Fort Ashby (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Ashby.

Also see . . . Friends of Fort Ashby. (Submitted on February 8, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Welcome marker is the one on the far left of photo. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 2023

2. Welcome marker is the one on the far left of photo.

Welcome Marker faces the old log fort cabin image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 2023

3. Welcome Marker faces the old log fort cabin

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 8, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2, 3. submitted on May 21, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia.