Montpelier Station in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Road
Discovering Madison
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
1. The Road Marker
"Having lost ourselves in the mountain road which leads thro' a wild woody tract of ground, and wandering for some time in Mr. Madison's domain, which seemed interminable, we at last reached his hospitable mansion."
- Margret Bayard Smith, 1828
The road connected Montpelier with the world, produce and supplies, along with a steady stream of people on foot, on horseback, and in carriages, bumped and rattled their way to and from Montpelier. It took the Madisons one hour to journey five miles to the nearest town, Orange Court House, where they shopped, attended church, and conducted legal business. It took one day for enslaved teamsters to deliver the plantation's tobacco to the Fredericksburg market. It took months for Dolley's Parisian dresses and James's books from London to reach their destination. After the Madisons retired, friends, family, and admirers traveled for days to pay their respects. All who braved the rutted mud of the wild woody track knew that a warm welcome awaited at Motpelier's front door.
Erected by Montpelier Foundation. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Northern Virginia and in the Piedmont. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 6 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Garden (about 400 feet away); Madison's Farm Complex (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Madison's Farm Complex (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mount Pleasant (approx. 0.3 miles away); Home Farm Complex (approx. 0.3 miles away); Montpelier Flag Stop (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montpelier Station.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Backyard (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Homes for Enslaved Families (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Blacksmith Shop (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Quarters (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Garden (was about 500 feet away but has
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
2. The Road Marker
More about this marker. On the right is a illustration courtesy of the collection of the New York Historical Society, captioned The architect Benjamin Latrobe sketched this coach design for Dolley Madison in a letter to the then First Lady.
Also see . . . James Madison's Montpelier. The house and grounds of America's fourth President is preserved by the work of the Montpelier Foundation. (Submitted on October 31, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
3. The Road to Montpelier
Looking from the steps of Montpelier down the road leading to Orange (Court House). The mountains in the far distance are the Blue Ridge.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 815 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on April 22, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
