Appomattox in Appomattox County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Grant's Approach
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025
1. Grant's Approach Marker
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1865.
Location. 37° 22.462′ N, 78° 48.113′ W. Marker is in Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It can be reached from Old Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 24) 0.2 miles east of Gordon Drive, on the right when traveling east. Marker is within Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, located on the Grant's Approach Trail accessed on foot from the North Carolina Monument Wayside. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Appomattox VA 24522, 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, 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: Slave Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Raine Memorial (about 400 feet away); Appomattox Court House Confederate Cemetery (about 600 feet away); Appomattox Confederate Cemetery Memorial (about 600 feet away); Confederate Cemetery (about 700 feet away);
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Another marker is no longer nearby. Sears Lane (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025
2. Grant's Approach Marker & Sears Lane Road Trace
The road trace is about a foot below grade where the marker is placed, but is better defined to the south. This is near the end of Grant's Approach Trail, before the trail bends west towards the Raine Monument.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025
3. Sears Lane Road Trace
As the visitor ascends the slope towards the marker and back towards the parking area, this view of the historic Sears Lane roadbed is obtained immediately after exiting the wooded part of the Grant's Approach trail.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025
4. Reconstructed McLean House seen from Sears Lane
This approximates Grant's view of the McLean House, his destination, as he came up Sears Lane en route to accept General Lee's surrender.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 65 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
