Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Don't Tread on Me!
Caution: Fragile Fortifications
| | Colonial National Historical Park Virginia | |
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 22, 2010
1. Don't Tread on Me! Marker
The earthworks in front of you and across the open plain played an integral part in the battle that won American 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 and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary.
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 13.825′ N, 76° 30.148′ W. Marker was in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It could be reached from Colonial National Historic Parkway east of Zweybrucken Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker stands next to the Yorktown Visitor Center, where one may head up the path to view the trenches. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1000 Colonial National Historic Parkway, Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was on Virginias Peninsula, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 22, 2010
2. Don't Tread on Me! Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Yorktown Bicentennial Pine Trees (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Yorktown (about 300 feet away); Tobacco Road (about 500 feet away); A 1681 Mortar (about 600 feet away); Cornwallis Headquarters (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Don't Tread on Me! (approx. 0.2 miles away); British Inner Defense Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Hornwork (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 replaces this marker, in a different location up the road.
Also see . . . Yorktown Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on July 27, 2015.)
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 22, 2010
3. Don't Tread on Me! Marker
Marker can be seen to the left in front of the visitor center
Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, June 22, 2010
4. Don't Tread on Me! Marker
View across those fields mentioned on the marker
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 25, 2015
5. Don't Tread On Me!
The program seems to be working. The erosion seen in the 2010 photos is less apparent now.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 641 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on February 15, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 26, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 5. submitted on November 25, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
