Cross Keys in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Visiting the Battlefields
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
1. Visiting the Battlefields Marker
Museums and Visitor Centers
(A) Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center
The Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center welcomes visitors to Harrisonburg. Inside you will find experienced Travel Specialists, a state-certified Visitor Center, Valley Turnpike Museum, Virginia Craftsmen Showroom, Rocktown Gift Shoppe, Heritage Bakery and Cafι, and a Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Civil War Orientation Center. Other amenities include information and brochures on lodging, dining and entertainment options as well as concierge maps.
212 S. Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Open Daily - 9am to 5pm
540-432-8935
(B) Mill Creek Country Store
Serving as the battlefield information center, the store is located on the Cross Keys Battlefield and has battlefield souvenirs and visitor information on the battles of Cross Keys, Port Republic, Harrisonburg, and Piedmont. It also provides made-to-order sandwiches, baked goods, and snacks as well as unique and interesting artwork and antiques. The grounds around the store have interpretive markers about the battle action and orientation signs to help navigate
this page online
7061 Trimble Road Port Republic, VA 24471
Open Monday - Friday 6am to 7pm
Saturday - 8am to 5pm
540-249-7133
(C) Port Republic Museum
The museum is housed in the historic Frank Kemper House, which was built c. 1835-1845. It was used both as a residence and as an inn and tavern for travelers, primarily for river boatmen. During the Civil War, Confederate Gen. Turner Ashby's body was brought to the house after he was killed near Harrisonburg on June 6, 1862. The museum features a remarkable array of artifacts and outstanding exhibits that bring history to life. The house is owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
8691 Water Street Port Republic, VA 24471
Call for Hours
540-327-4277
Battlefield Sites
(1) Harrisonburg Battlefield / Turner Ashby Monument
Though mostly lost to development, a preserved section of the battlefield tells the story of the June 6, 1862, action as Union forces pursued Stonewall Jackson's army east of Harrisonburg. The grounds feature a short walking trail with interpretive markers and a monument to Confederate Col. Turner Ashby on the site where
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 29, 2026
2. Visiting the Battlefields Marker
1164 Turner Ashby Lane Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Open Daily Dawn to Dusk
(2) Union Church
The scene of some of the initial fighting during the battle, Union Church was a prominent feature on the battlefield. It was here that the 15th Alabama initially engaged the Union army as it deployed onto the field. While the original building fell into disrepair after the war, a new church was later constructed. The current building was renovated after a fire in 2003. The site has interpretative markers about the church and battle action. The site is maintained by the Cross Keys Mill Creek Ruritan Club and is owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
5094 Battlefield Road Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Open Daily Dawn to Dusk
(3) Mill Creek Ridge
Visit the ground of the June 8, 1862, penultimate clash of Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign, where Confederate troops under Gen. Richard Ewell defeated Union Gen. John C. Fremont. Here, you can learn about the battle from the Confederate defensive position and learn about other sites to visit on the battlefield. The site features a trail, Maryland Monument, and interpretive markers. The site is preserved by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
4232 Bowtie Drive Port Republic, VA 24471
Open Daily Dawn to Dusk
(4) 8th New York Site YOU ARE HERE!
One of the most famous actions of the battle is the "Slaughter of the 8th New York", which occurred on this site. Visitors can walk the trail and see the field from both the Union and Confederate perspective for this ambush. The site has parking with mowed grass trails and interpretive markers. The grounds are owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
Located along Port Republic Road just 1.5 miles south of the intersection of Cross Keys Road.
Open Daily Dawn to Dusk
(5) Trimble's Ravine
Confederate Gen. Isaac Trimble attacked across these fields as he drove the Union armies right flank back and disrupted their plans for an attack on the Confederate's other flank. From this location, visitors can view the fields of this attack and see interpretive markers along a mowed grass trail. The site has parking and is owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
6812 Goods Mill Road Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Open Daily Dawn to Dusk
(6) Port Republic
The small village of Port Republic sits along the North and South Rivers, which merge to form the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson was headquartered here in the lead up to the battles. On June 8th, 1862, he narrowly escaped capture on the streets of Port Republic. The town has interpretive markers about its history as well as the action that took place here in the lead up to the Battle of Port Republic.
8691 Water Street Port Republic, VA 24471
(7) The Coaling
The Battle of Port Republic was a ferocious, hard-fought Confederate victory that brought a triumphant end to Stonewall Jackson's famed Valley Campaign. Visit the battlefield at the key location, the "Coaling". It was here that the battle was decided. Explore the site with interpretive markers and trails that cover the battle and view the open plains along the South Fork of the Shenandoah River where much of the fighting occurred. Much of the "Coaling" and surrounding land has been preserved by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
7120 Ore Bank Road Port Republic, VA 24471
Open Daily Dawn to Dusk
This is a place where men died. As you walk across these fields, remember the fallen who lost their lives on this sacred ground. Over 500 men were killed in the fighting at Harrisonburg, Cross Keys, and Port Republic.
Today this ground is a monument and memorial to those who never returned home, who left, in the words of the famous wartime poem and song, "the vacant chair" by the fireside.
Erected 2026 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1862.
Location. 38° 20.88′ N, 78° 49.562′ W. Marker is in Cross Keys, Virginia, in Rockingham County. It is on Port Republic Road (Virginia Route 253) 0.1 miles north of Battlefield Road ( Route 679), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the trailhead for "The Attack of the 8th New York Trail" which begins at a small parking area along Port Republic Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Republic VA 24471, 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 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: Cross Keys Battlefield (here, next to this marker); The Battlefields Today (here, next to this marker); The Slaughter of the 8th New York (a few steps from this marker); Lying in Wait (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Cross Keys Battlefield (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Confederate Barrage (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Attack's Aftermath (approx. 0.2 miles away); Death in the Clover (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cross Keys.
Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of Cross Keys (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Battle of Cross Keys (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
