McNair near Herndon in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mosby’s Rock

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 17, 2007

1. Mosby's Rock Marker

Inscription. The large boulder, located just south of here, served as an important landmark during the Civil War, when Col. John S. Mosby’s Partisan Rangers (43d Battalion, Virginia Cavalry) assembled there to raid Union outposts, communications, and supply lines. Laura Ratcliffe, a young woman who lived nearby and spied for Mosby, concealed money and messages for him under the rock. Mosby credited her with saving him from certain capture by Federal cavalry on one occasion. She also was a friend of Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number C-25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Natural Features • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list.

Location. 38° 56.789′ N, 77° 24.955′ W. Marker is near Herndon, Virginia, in Fairfax

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County. It is in McNair. It is at the intersection of McNair Farms Road and Squirrel Hill Road, on the right when traveling east on McNair Farms Road. Near the entrance to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Herndon VA 20171, 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: Historical Site of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Frying Pan Meeting House (approx. half a mile away); Pin Oak (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Frying Pan Meeting House (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Frying Pan Meeting House (approx. half a mile away); Civil War at Frying Pan Spring Meeting House (approx. half a mile away); The Story of Arrowhead Farm (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Route of Old West Ox Road (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Herndon.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mosby's Rock (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

The Meeting Place with the Marker Beside the Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 17, 2007

2. The Meeting Place with the Marker Beside the Road

The stand of trees to the right of the picture was the general location of the rock. Just to the north of Frying Pan Creek, and conveniently in a quiet corner close to several of the historic roads, the site was a perfect meeting spot for Mosby's clandestine operations.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,992 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.