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

The Old Potomac Path

Photographed by Kevin W., September 12, 2007

1. The Old Potomac Path Marker

Inscription.
The Old Potomac Path
Originally an Indian Trail and traversed by early settlers, it later became the first coach and post road between Northern and Southern Colonies, and was called

The King’s Highway
General Washington often stopped here to visit Col. Blackburn. Over this way also passed the Colonial and French Officers and troops at the time of the Battle of Yorktown.

This old road extends for about three miles through Rippon Lodge, where it has been preserved by Wade H. Ellis, present owner of the property.

Marked and Dedicated May 13, 1933, by The Susan Riviere Hetzel Chapter, D.C., D.A.R.

Marker relocated and rededicated April 25, 1982, Bill of Rights Chapter, VA, NSDAR.

Erected 1933 by Susan Riviere Hetzel Chapter, The Susan Riviere Hetzel Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the George Washington Slept Here series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 1982.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

38° 37.172′ N, 77° 16.671′ W. Marker is near Leesylvania, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is at the intersection of Forest Grove Drive and Rippon Boulevard (County Route 784), on the right when traveling north on Forest Grove Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15371 Forest Grove Dr, 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: Ellis and Preservation (here, next to this marker); Supplying an Army (within shouting distance of this marker); Rippon Lodge (approx. ¼ mile away); Centuries of History (approx. ¼ mile away); The King's Highway (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Historic Landscape (approx. 0.3 miles away); Native Americans from Eastern Prince William County (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Doeg People (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesylvania.

Other markers no longer nearby. Preserving History (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Potomac Path (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Centuries of History (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Historic Landscape

Photographed by Kevin W., March 4, 2008

2. The Old Potomac Path Marker

Photograph is taken looking east from across Forest Grove Drive, following the marker's relocation from the SE corner to the NE corner of the Rippon Boulevard intersection.

(was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This is the third location for this marker. The previous location was 38° 37′ 8.21″ N, 77° 16′ 40.32″ W, directly across Rippon Boulevard from its current location.

Photographed by Kevin W., September 12, 2007

3. The Old Potomac Path Marker

Photograph is taken looking East down Rippon Blvd, prior to the marker's relocation nearby. Rippon Lodge is southeast of this location (out of view).

Picture of this marker's dedication in 1933. image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Kevin W., March 4, 2008

4. Picture of this marker's dedication in 1933.

Judge Wade Hampton Ellis (left), his wife and several members of the Susan Revere Hetzel Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution posed in front of their King’s Highway plaque in May, 1933.
Picture is from a nearby marker, recently installed by Prince William County.
Click for more information.

The Old Potomac Path - Outside the Gate. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., September 12, 2007

5. The Old Potomac Path - Outside the Gate.

This gate was on the north side of Rippon Lodge.

The Old Potomac Path - Inside the Gate. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., September 12, 2007

6. The Old Potomac Path - Inside the Gate.

This path leads to Rippon Lodge.

The Old Potomac Path </b>resumes just past the logs seen here. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W.

7. The Old Potomac Path resumes just past the logs seen here.

This is the other end of the stretch of Potomac Path from that shown in the previous pictures.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,336 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on October 2, 2025, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on September 13, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 4, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on September 13, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 4, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on September 13, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 7. submitted on February 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.