Sterling in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Vestal's Gap Road

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 8, 2010

1. Vestal's Gap Road Marker

Inscription. Vestal's Gap Road is among the oldest remaining segments of colonial highway in America. Initially an Indian trail, it became an important route for commerce from Alexandria to Leesburg and Winchester, westward migration, and troop movements. Lt. Col. George Washington and Gen. Edward Braddock's forces traveled the road in 1755 to defeat at Fort Duquesne in the first phase of the Seven Years' War between the British and the French. The Declaration of Independence and Constitution were secretly carried to Leesburg over this road when the British burned Washington, D.C. in 1814. The Leesburg Turnpike supplanted the road in 1825.

Erected 2010 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number F-37.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812 • War, French and Indian. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1755.

Location. 39° 1.228′ N, 77° 24.522′ W. Marker is in Sterling, Virginia, in Loudoun County. It is at the intersection of Cascades Parkway (County Road 1794) and Vestals Gap Road, on the right when traveling

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north on Cascades Parkway. Located at the north entrance to Claude Moore Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sterling VA 20164, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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 walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Vestal's Gap Road (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Vestal's Gap Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named George Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); Guilford Signal Station (approx. ¼ mile away); The Braddock Campaign (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Vestal's Gap Road (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lanesville Architecture (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sterling.

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 8, 2010

2. Vestal's Gap Road Marker

Trace of the Old Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 8, 2010

3. Trace of the Old Road

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,408 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.