Leesylvania in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Centuries of History
Rippon Lodge
Rippon Lodge is among the oldest known homes in Prince William County. It is built on land that was first settled in the 17th century.
The original portions of the house were built circa 1747 by Richard Blackburn, a carpenter from Ripon, England. By the time of his death 10 years later, he had acquired numerous land holdings throughout Prince William County.
His son Thomas Blackburn, a Revolutionary War veteran and local politician, inherited the house in 1757 and made the first major additions in 1800.
The present house is the work of Wade Ellis, who directed major additions in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The home is a mixture of original 18th century features and 20th-century Colonial Revival architecture. Prince William County purchased the property in 2000 and began extensive restorations.
Erected by Prince William County Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1747.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 36.932′
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Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. 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: A different marker also named Centuries of History (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Historic Landscape (a few steps from this marker); Latrobe's View (within shouting distance of this marker); Rippon Lodge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Neabsco Creek (about 400 feet away); The Burying Ground (about 600 feet away); Stones, but No Bones (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Rippon Lodge (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesylvania.
Other markers no longer nearby. Historic Landscape (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Latrobe's View (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 473 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on October 1, 2025, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
