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
Orange County in 1734:
Rich in history, Orange County has the distinction of being the largest Virginia county ever formed. Established in 1734 and named in honor of William, Prince of the House of Orange-Nassau, the county once stretched west all the way to the Mississippi River and north to the Great Lakes and included the present-day states of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The French and English contested the territory, ultimately engaging in the French and Indian War, won by the English. While Orange County's western boundary was pulled back to the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1738, all that wester territory remained a part of Virginia until the 1780s. (Map courtesy of Orange County.)
Images and text provided by Orange County Department of Tourism
Erected 2013.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers • War, French and Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1734.
Location. 38° 22.291′ N, 77° 46.11′ W. Marker is in Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. It can be reached from Twin Drive
this page online
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 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia (here, next to this marker); a different marker
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, July 27, 2026
2. Historic Orange County, Virginia Marker
The marker is the second from left in 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 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
