Near Columbia in Cumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Point of Fork

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 2, 2026

1. Point of Fork Marker

Inscription. In summer, 1781, Lt. Col. Simcoe led his Queen's Rangers and the 2nd Bt. of the 71st Highland Light Infantry in a successful raid upon the arsenal at Point of Fork. Baron von Steuben with some 400 recruits was able to save some of the weaponry by removing it to the south border of the James at the present site of Rotherwood, the position where the rebels formed hours before the raid. Daniel Boone and other prominent pioneers also crossed here on their journeys west.

Erected 1970.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is June 5, 1781.

Location. 37° 44.604′ N, 78° 9.888′ W. Marker is near Columbia, Virginia, in Cumberland County. It is on Columbia Road (Local Route 690) 0.1 miles north of Jackson Lane, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia VA 23038, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally,

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it is in 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lafayette's Tour (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Point of Fork (approx. 1.6 miles away); Rassawek (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Point of Fork (approx. 4.7 miles away); Fluvanna County World War Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away); Lee's Stopping Place (approx. 5.1 miles away); Elk Hill (approx. 5.2 miles away); Second Century Guarantors (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Elk Hill (was approx. 5.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 2, 2026

2. Point of Fork Marker

View south of Columbia Road. A multi-farm driveway is just north of the marker for a safe pull-off.

Point of Fork image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 2, 2026

3. Point of Fork

The point itself. The arsenal was on the heights on the west bank of the Rivanna River (right branch of the fork).

Photographed by Evan Dwyer

4. Rotherwood

1991 newspaper sale advertisement for Rotherwood Farm, as named in the marker. It used to stand at 1841 Columbia Rd but was demolished in 2002 and replaced with a modern home.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 61 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.