Manassas, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mayfield Civil War Fort
Unearthing the Past
| | The Manassas Museum System | |
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 2, 2007
1. Mayfield Civil War Fort - Unearthing the Past Marker
Archeology is the detective work of history. Evidence recovered from the soil often provides valuable clues for learning how people lived, worked, and died, especially when documentary sources are scarce.
Excavations were conducted at the Hooe House site by the Archeology Society of Virginia (ASV) in 1984-85. The fort site was excavated during a nine-month period in 1987 by Thunderbird Archeological Associates. Additional fieldwork, including a cross-section of the earthwork wall, was carried out in 2000 by ASV volunteers directed by Rivanna Archeology, Inc. During the construction phase, further archeological work was conducted by Rivanna in 2001 under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Ford.
These digs revealed some of the physical evidence left behind over several thousand years. Native American projectile points (spearheads) were recovered as were pieces of pottery, glass, and iron farm implements used during the Hooe family period. Ford uncovered evidence of two post-holes inside the fortification wall. He conjectured that the holes dated to the late eighteenth century, and may be the remains of the barn belonging to the Hooe family. In addition, Civil War bullets, accouterment plates, and belt buckles were found.
The acquisition of the Mayfield site within The Manassas Museum System ensures the protection and
this page online
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 45.15′ N, 77° 27.216′ W. Marker was in Manassas, Virginia. It could be reached from the intersection of Battery Heights Boulevard and Quarry Road, on the right when traveling south. Located south of the fortifications inside Mayfield Civil War Fort Park. On the walking trail of the park, just south of the Hooe cemetery. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Manassas VA 20110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: The Hooes of Mayfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Preservation of Mayfield Fort (about 500 feet away); Camps of Instruction (about 500 feet away); Casualties of Battle (about 500 feet away); Why the Forts? (about 500 feet away); Battle of Bull Run Bridge
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 2, 2007
2. South End of Park
The area beyond the marker was noted in the Civil War map as having several Hooe farm buildings.
Other markers no longer nearby. Mayfield Civil War Fort (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. On the left side of the marker, a photograph of tombstones in the Hooe family cemetery is captioned, Tombstones from the Hooe family cemetery located 200 feet from the redoubt.
A sidebar area on the right contains three pictures. The upper photo shows sifting operations during archaeological excavations, captioned, Volunteers assisting Archaeologist Benjamin Ford in sifting soil from construction trenches to recover artifacts. The lower left photo in the sidebar shows, Field reference photographs documenting one of the two postholes uncovered within the fortification wall. On the lower right, A glass ink bottle found during the construction phase at the fort is pictured.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . . Mayfield Fort – A Civil Work Earthwork Fortification. (Submitted on September 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,062 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
