Near Leesylvania in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Powells Creek Crossing

Photographed by Kevin W., February 8, 2008

1. Powells Creek Crossing Marker

Inscription. Efforts began in 1864, but it wasn’t until July 2, 1872, with the aid of the Pennsylvania Railroad, that this section of rail line opened for service. The crossing at Powell’s Creek was 1,100 feet in length and constructed of heavy timber supplied by the Troth and Willis lumberyard located on Neabsco Creek next to the park entrance. White and black oak, poplar, gum, and beech provided all of the wood necessary for bridges between Quantico and Washington. The line eventually came under the ownership of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad, who in 1928 replaced the original timber bridge with a concrete deck bridge that allowed for larger and faster trains. The wooden trestle and numerous curves of the original track limited the speed in the area to not more than 20 miles per hour. At the time of its replacement, the crossing at Powells Creek was the last wooden trestle bridge on the line. During very low tides you can still see remains of wood pilings that once supported the bridge.

Erected by Leesylvania State Park.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1676.

Location.

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38° 35.116′ N, 77° 15.757′ W. Marker is near Leesylvania, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is on Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woodbridge VA 22191, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

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: Seasonal Encampments (approx. 0.3 miles away); Annoying the Enemy (approx. 0.4 miles away); War in the Chesapeake (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pollution Solution (approx. half a mile away); Mill Wheel (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Lee Family Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Lee and Fairfax Family Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); A Railroad Runs Through It (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesylvania.

More about this marker. On the left is an artist’s rendition of the wooden trestle bridge that crossed Powells creek at this location.

Photographed by Kevin W., February 8, 2008

2. Powells Creek Crossing Marker

Powells Creek Crossing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., February 8, 2008

3. Powells Creek Crossing

Old pilings next to modern concrete deck bridge.

Photographed by Michael Kohlbecker, September 10, 2025

4. Powells Creek Crossing Marker

Photographed by Michael Kohlbecker, September 8, 2025

5. Powells Creek Crossing Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,696 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on October 3, 2023, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 9, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on September 10, 2025, by Michael Kohlbecker of Woodbridge, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.