Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Lewis and Clark on the Great Road

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2026

1. Lewis and Clark on the Great Road Marker

Inscription.
The Great Road, a thoroughfare linking the Valley of Virginia to the interior of North America, passed through Abingdon. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark used this route when returning to the East after their expedition to the Pacific Ocean (1803-06). Lewis, with a group of Native Americans from present-day North Dakota, passed here late in 1806 on his way to report to Pres. Thomas Jefferson. Clark followed separately, reaching Fincastle, VA, in Jan. 1807 to visit his future wife, Julia Hancock. He passed here again on his way from St. Louis for their wedding in Jan. 1808. On an eastward journey in1809,Calrk spent the night of 12 Nov. in or near Abingdon, possibly at the William King House.

Erected 2023 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-180.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1807.

Location. 36° 42.755′ N, 81° 58.187′ W.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is in Abingdon, Virginia, in Washington County. It is on Court Street Northeast just north of East Main Street (U.S. 11), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 Court St NE, Abingdon VA 24210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Tri-Cities Area,

in Southwest Virginia,

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, 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 walking distance of this marker: Home of William King (here, next to this marker); Abingdon Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Wm. King Springhouse. (within shouting distance of this marker); Abingdon Bank (within

Lewis and Clark on the Great Road Marker in front of the William King House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2026

2. Lewis and Clark on the Great Road Marker in front of the William King House

shouting distance of this marker); Washington County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Abingdon House (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia House (within shouting distance of this marker); First Washington County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abingdon.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 7, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.