Leesylvania in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Historic Landscape
Rippon Lodge
Paintings by Benjamin Latrobe in 1796 illustrate the site as Richard and Thomas Blackburn knew it. Today visitors can enjoy the view of Neabsco Creek and the Potomac River beyond. The site includes the cemetery for the Blackburn and Atkinson families.
In the early 20th century Wade Ellis installed the ornamental gardens you see before you today, including our county champion American Elm tree and the dozens of boxwoods. Mrs. Dessie Ellis was a garden club member, and their home was featured many times during Virginia's Historic Garden Week. Rippon also was a working farm until the 1950s, when the property was purchased by its last private owner, Admired Richard Blackburn Black.
Erected by Prince William County Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Colonial Era • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1796.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
this page online
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 Historic Landscape (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Centuries of History (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. Centuries of History (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 440 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on October 1, 2025, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
