Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Historic Orange County, Virginia
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, July 27, 2026
1. Historic Orange County, Virginia Marker
Fort Germanna:
Located where today's Route 3 crosses the Rapidan River, Fort Germanna was the first permanent English settlement west of the Tidewater. Originally consisting of 12 families from Germany, it was established in 1714 by Lieutenant Governor Spotswood to encourage the growth of mining and metal working in the region. The name comes from a combination of the heritage of its original occupants and the name of their English sovereign, Queen Anne. Further Germanna was the gateway for the westward expansion of British America. (Sketch provided by B.C. Holtsclaw and the Germanna Foundation.)
Enchanted Castle Archaeology
In the 1720s, when a "good" house in Virginia might be only 16 feet square, Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood built a 35 foot by 85 foot mansion at Germanna that William Byrd II dubbed "the Enchanted Castle." Some time after Spotswood's death in 1740, the mansion burned. Its remains, shown here, disappeared from memory only to be rediscovered by archeologists in the late 20th century. (Photo by Bernice Walker.)
Images and text provided by Orange County Department of Tourism
Erected 2013.
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1714.
Location. 38° 22.292′ N, 77° 46.111′ W. Marker is in Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. It can be reached from Twin Drive 0.1 miles north of A and K Boulevard, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in front of the Wilderness Walmart, visible from the unnamed parking lot right of way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2533 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, July 27, 2026
2. Historic Orange County, Virginia Marker
The marker is the furthest left of the set of six under the overhang.
Other markers no longer nearby. Germanna Ford (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Germanna Ford (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Germanna Ford (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This marker and those that adjoin it were part of a successful partnership between Walmart and the historical/preservation organizations that mobilized to convince Walmart not to build on the Wilderness Battlefield.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These are the other markers erected next to this one at this Walmart.
Also see . . . Wilderness Walmart Controversy Resolution. This article from the American Battlefield Trust (formerly Civil War Preservation Trust) details the resolution of the Wilderness Walmart drama that led to the installation of this marker and the five alongside it. (Submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
