Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Don't Tread on Me!

Caution: Fragile Fortifications

— Colonial National Historical Park —

Don't Tread on Me! Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 3, 2024

1. Don't Tread on Me! Marker

Inscription. The earthworks in front of you and across the open plain played an integral part in the battle that won America's independence. For many American, French, British, and German soldiers, only these fortifications stood between them and the enemy during the 1781 Siege of Yorktown.

Please help the National Park Service preserve these works as monuments to soldiers who fought and died here. Walk only on designated trails. To protect the earthworks, bicycling, sledding and other similar activities are prohibited.

"Persons whose duty does not call them to the Trenches and who Assemble there merely to indulge Curiosity are to walk on the Reverse of the Trenches that they may not interrupt the works."
General George Washington
General Orders, Headquarters before York, October 9, 1781

(caption)
In the 1930s, portions of the American and French lines were reconstructed using the same methods employed by General Washington's army.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.

Location. 37° 13.796′ N,

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76° 30.34′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It is on Colonial National Historic Parkway 0.1 miles east of Ballard Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the driveway to the Colonial National Historical Park's Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Colonial National Historic Parkway, Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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: The Hornwork (a few steps from this marker);

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British Inner Defense Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Cornwallis Headquarters (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tobacco Road (about 400 feet away); Yorktown (about 600 feet away); Secretary Nelson’s House (about 600 feet away); Home of Thomas Nelson (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Yorktown (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. It was the predecessor to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on February 15, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.