Lunsford Point in Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Lunsford Point

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2026

1. Lunsford Point Marker

Inscription. Named for Martin Lunsford, who in 1947 developed the first Yacht Center in Colonial Beach on the Point to your right. This area had previously been infamously known as a secret burial ground for shanghaied watermen. Human bones are still discovered on the ridge in front of you as the sand and dirt wash away.

The shape of this triangle stands in remembrance of the many boats which have graced the waters of Monroe Bay. The anchor and propeller were donated by Mr. Lunsford from the first ship owned by Smoot Sand and Gravel.

Erected 1941 by Town of Colonial Beach.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.

Location. 38° 13.908′ N, 76° 57.666′ W. Marker is in Colonial Beach, Virginia, in Westmoreland County. It is in Lunsford Point. It is on Irving Avenue near Monroe Bay Avenue, in the median. It is in the small triangular park with Castlewood Drive on two sides and Irving Avenue to the north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1617 Irving Ave, Colonial Beach VA 22443, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is on the Northern Neck.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Potomac River Oyster Wars (a few steps from this marker); Colonial Beach Roll of Honor (approx. 1.2 miles away); Skiff (approx. 1.3 miles away); Journey's End (approx. 1.4 miles away); Monroe Creek (approx. 1.4 miles away); James Monroe's Legacy (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Monroe Doctrine (approx. 1.4 miles away); "Era of Good Feelings" (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colonial Beach.

Also see . . . Shanghaiing. Wikipedia entry.

Shanghaiing or crimping is the practice
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2026

2. Lunsford Point Marker
of kidnapping people to serve as sailors by coercive techniques such as trickery, intimidation, or violence.

(Submitted on July 16, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Propeller Donated by Mr. Lunsford image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 13, 2026

3. Propeller Donated by Mr. Lunsford

This marker can be seen behind the propeller.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.