Afton in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Albemarle County / Nelson County
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2007
1. Albemarle County Face of Marker
Albemarle County. Albemarle County was formed in 1744 from Goochland County and named for William Anne Keppel, the second Earl of Albemarle, titular governor of Virginia from 1737 to 1754. A portion of Louisa County was later added to Albemarle County. In 1761, part of Albemarle County was divided to form Buckingham and Amherst Counties. President Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was born in this county at Shadwell and here he built his home Monticello. The city of Charlottesville is the county seat and the home of the University of Virginia, chartered in 1819 and opened for instruction in 1825. Jefferson designed the university and supervised its construction.
Nelson County. In the foothills of Virginia’s Piedmont, Nelson County was formed in 1807 from Amherst County. The county was named for Thomas Nelson, Jr., governor of Virginia from June to November 1781. The county seat is Lovingston. The Nelson County courthouse was built under the supervision of George Varnum in 1809, according to the plans submitted by Sheldon Crostwait, one of the justices. Though the courthouse has been modified and enlarged over the years,
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Erected 2002 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Z-20.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1781.
Location. 38° 2.294′ N, 78° 50.001′ W. Marker is in Afton, Virginia, in Albemarle County. Marker is on Rockfish Gap Turnpike (U.S. 250) east of Afton Mountain Road (Virginia Route 6), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Afton VA 22920, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. East Trailhead (approx. 0.6 miles away); Virginia's Nineteenth-Century Transportation Challenges (approx. 0.7 miles away); Claudius Crozet (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Blue Ridge Railroad (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Laborers (approx. one mile away); Flight of Richard C. duPont (approx. 1.1 miles away); Rockfish Gap Meeting (approx. 1.1 miles away); Greenwood-Afton Rural Historic District (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Afton.
More about this marker. This marker replaced a marker with the same titles and number dating back to the late 1920s or early 1930s. The inscriptions on that previous marker read:
Nelson County. Area 473 square miles. Formed in 1807 from Amherst, and named for General Thomas Nelson, governor of Virginia, 1781. Oak Ridge, old home, is in this county.
Albemarle County. Area 751 square miles. Formed in 1744 from Goochland, and named for the Earl of Albemarle, titular governor of Virginia, 1737–1754. Thomas Jefferson was born in this county and lived in it.
Also see . . .
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2007
2. Nelson County Face of Marker
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2007
3. Albemarle County / Nelson County Marker
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 1, 2007
4. Albemarle County / Nelson County Marker
J. J. Prats Postcard Collection
5. Blue Ridge Terrace, Afton, Va.
“Here is a place for a good night’s rest.” Down the road from this marker was the Blue Ridge Terrace hotel. It is now a private residence with great views of the valley.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,774 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 7, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on November 3, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
