Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Loudoun

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 26, 2007

1. Fort Loudoun Marker

Inscription. Here in May 1756, overlooking the frontier town of Winchester, construction began on Fort Loudoun during the period of the French and Indian War (Seven Year’s War in Europe). The fort, named for John Campbell, earl of Loudoun, was a square fortification with four bastions constructed of earth, wood, and stone. Col. George Washington, commander of the Virginia Regiment, designed the fort and supervised its construction until 1756. It served as Washington’s command center for a series of forts authorized by the Virginia House of Burgesses and built on the frontier that extended from the Potomac River to North Carolina. A well, dug through limestone bedrock, survives.

Erected 2006 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q 4-k.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • War, French and Indian. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1756.

Location. 39° 11.341′ N, 78° 9.833′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Loudoun Street and Peyton Street, on the right when traveling south on Loudoun Street. About 200 feet north of the

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intersection of Peyton and Loudoun Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 Loudoun Street, Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

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 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Fort Loudoun (a few steps from this marker); Washington's Well (a few steps from this marker); Site of Fort Loudoun (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Jackson's Headquarters (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Jackson’s Headquarters (about 400 feet away); Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters (about 600 feet away); Dangerous Liaison (about 700 feet away); An African American Family Of Doctors (about 800 feet away); George Washington Lot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Evans Family Memories (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

Other markers no longer nearby. Jackson’s Headquarters (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Loyal Quaker and Brave Slave (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

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 . . .

Site of Markers for Fort Loudoun along Loudoun Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 26, 2007

2. Site of Markers for Fort Loudoun along Loudoun Street

Fort Loudoun - One of Washington's Forts. Includes photographs of the well mentioned on the marker. (Submitted on September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.
1. Fort Loudoun - A Popular Name
The name Loudoun was applied to several frontier forts during the colonial era. Confusing to the present day historian, there are forts named after the Earl of Loudoun in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

— Submitted September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Two Fort Loudoun Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 14, 2010

3. Two Fort Loudoun Markers

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, March 28, 2009

4. Fort Loudoun Marker

in front of Baker-Hardy House, 419 Loudoun Street.

Fort Loudoun Marker/You Are Here image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 23, 2025

5. Fort Loudoun Marker/You Are Here

You are standing at the site of the northern rampart of George Washington's Fort Loudoun, 1756-1763. The red lines in the sidewalks and street mark the outline of the 18 ft. thick rampart walls. The lines approximately 140 ft. to the South mark the location of the southern rampart of the fort.

French & Indian War Foundation (fiwf.org)

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 23, 2025

6. Fort Loudoun Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,525 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on May 9, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on August 3, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.