Luray in Page County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Ajax Portable Steam Engine, circa 1900

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones, July 5, 2026

1. Ajax Portable Steam Engine, circa 1900 Marker

Inscription.
These early steam engines weren't self-propelled but were pulled by a team of horses to use at various sites. They remained stationary when in operation and were fueled by wood, straw, and coal. They were also extremely adaptable as a power source in industrial and agricultural tasks. Here in the Shenandoah Valley, these engines were used in saw and planing mills, or for logging, threshing and milling crops, drilling wells, etc.
On loan from the Bausemran family

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 38° 39.963′ N, 78° 28.965′ W. Marker is in Luray, Virginia, in Page County. It can be reached from Cave Hill Road west of Lee Highway (U.S. 211/340), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Cave Hill Rd, Luray VA 22835, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic

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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 Shenk Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Shenandoah Heritage Village/Luray Valley Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Heartpine Cafe (within shouting distance of this marker); The World's First Bluegrass Festival (within shouting distance of this marker); Hamburg African American Regular School (within shouting distance of this marker); 1901 A.B. Farquhar Company Threshing Steam Engine (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rev. Bernard Willy House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Luray.

Other markers no longer nearby. Willow Grove Mill In Olden Days (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently

Ajax Portable Steam Engine Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 5, 2026

2. Ajax Portable Steam Engine Display

removed); The Luray Valley Museum (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.