Wardensville in Hardy County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Wardensville

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 17, 2020

1. Wardensville Marker

Inscription. George Washington laid off land here for William Wallace Warden, Nov. 11, 1749. Warden built a stockade fort, near which members of his family were killed by Indians, 1758, and the fort burned. Scene of skirmishes in 1862-1863.

Erected by West Virginia Historic Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Native Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 11, 1983.

Location. 39° 4.803′ N, 78° 35.528′ W. Marker is in Wardensville, West Virginia, in Hardy County. Marker is on Main Street (U.S. 48), on the right when traveling north. Located in front of the county information center and conference center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wardensville WV 26851, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Wardensville (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Son of Man (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lost and Found (approx. 3½ miles away); West Virginia (Hardy County) / Virginia (approx. 4.2 miles away); Capon Springs

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(approx. 6.3 miles away); Capon Lake Whipple Truss Bridge (approx. 6.3 miles away); Oriskany Sand (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wardensville.

Additional commentary.
1. Skirmishes around Wardensville during the Civil War
According to the Official Records the following skirmishes were recorded around the town:

- On May 7, 1862 the 3rd Maryland Potomac Home Brigade under Lt. Col. Stephen Downey clashed with Confederates posted north of town.

- Lt. Col. Downey lead cavalry into the town again on May 29, 1862, and met brief resistance.

- Skirmishes occurred on December 16 and 22, 1862 as Federal forces advanced back into the Shenandoah Valley following the Confederate Maryland Campaign of 1862.

- On March 20, 1863 Federals made a reconnaissance through the town. Another such reconnaissance, led by Col. James Galligher of the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, met brief resistance on April 20, 1863.

- While the town is mentioned in dispatches during the Gettysburg Campaign and the Valley Campaigns of 1864, no fighting is recorded.

- On May 10, 1864, Federal cavalry skirmished

Markers in front of the Visitor Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 11, 2009

2. Markers in front of the Visitor Center

with Confederate cavalry west of town near the Lost River Gap.

— Submitted October 12, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 17, 2020

3. Wardensville Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,765 times since then and 101 times this year. Last updated on December 19, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on July 17, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on October 12, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on July 17, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.