Afton in Nelson County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Rockfish Gap Meeting

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2009

1. Rockfish Gap Meeting Marker

Inscription. The commission appointed to select a site for the University of Virginia met 1-4 August 1818 in the tavern that stood nearby. Among the 21 members present were former presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, as well as judges Spencer Roane, Archibald Stewart, and Creed Taylor. The commissioners chose Charlottesville over Lexington and Staunton for the site of the University. The tavern at which they met was owned by Samuel Leake (1790–1858) and Walter Leake (1792–1859). Enlarged later, as part of the Mountain Top Hotel and Springs, the popular tavern burned in 1909.

Erected 1993 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-218.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, the Former U.S. Presidents: #04 James Madison, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR)

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series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 38° 1.995′ N, 78° 51.122′ W. Marker is in Afton, Virginia, in Nelson County. It is on Interstate 64 at milepost 100, on the right when traveling east. It is at the first scenic overlook east of the Skyline Drive exit (Exit 99). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Afton VA 22920, 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 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:

Several markers on display at the Afton Mountain Scenic View pullover from I-64 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 8, 2026

2. Several markers on display at the Afton Mountain Scenic View pullover from I-64

Flight of Richard C. duPont (here, next to this marker); Blue Ridge Parkway (here, next to this marker); Greenwood-Afton Rural Historic District (here, next to this marker); Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Laborers (approx. ¼ mile away); The Blue Ridge Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); Nelson County / Augusta County (approx. 0.3 miles away); Claudius Crozet (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Afton.

More about this marker. Marker can only be accessed from the eastbound lanes of I–64.

Also see . . .
1. University of Virginia Marker. “Following Jefferson’s beliefs, the university was nonsectarian and allowed its students to choose their own courses of study.” (Submitted on August 21, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

2. Was the University of Virginia the first state university?. “The University of Virginia presented a model of the principle

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2009

3. Rockfish Gap Meeting Marker

of student government and honor to other state universities. While an ‘honor system’ was not put into operation successfully until 1842, the ideal goes back to Thomas Jefferson and the rules he established at the 1818 Rockfish Gap meeting, when he and other state officials laid the groundwork for the University of Virginia.” (Submitted on August 21, 2009.)

3. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: Edward Beyer: Album of Virginia: Rockfish Gap and the Mountain House. An artist's drawing, with a brief background, of Rockfish Gap and the Mountain House. (Submitted on September 23, 2009, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.
1. Mountain Top Hotel and Springs
Advertisement in The Times Richmond, Va, Tuesday, July 31, 1900.

“MOUNTAIN TOP HOTEL AND SPRINGS, Rockfish Gap. Blue Ridge Mountain. 2,000 feet above sea level. An historic Virginia resort, overlooking two famous valleys. Fine views. Cool

The Site of the Mountain House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, September 12, 2009

4. The Site of the Mountain House

General site of the Mountain House, at Rockfish Gap, in Augusta County. The original structure was destroyed by fire over a hundred years ago. The site has been impacted by commercial development and the construction of I-64.

breezes. Strong Chalybeate and other waters. No mosquitoes. Reasonable rates. Only 120 miles from Richmond by C. and O. Railway. Address MASSIE & CO, Afton. Va.”

Chalybeate waters are mineral spring water containing salts of iron, also known as ferruginous waters.

— Submitted August 21, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,635 times since then and 136 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 21, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on August 9, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on August 21, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on September 12, 2009, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.