Beaverdam in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Depot at Beaver Dam

Photographed by Franklin Bell, February 4, 2008

1. The Depot at Beaver Dam

Inscription. The first railroad depot at Beaver Dam was built ca. 1840 to serve the farmers of Hanover and Louisa counties. Its strategic location during the Civil War made it a target of many Union raids. The July 20, 1862, raid saw the depot burned and Colonel John S. Mosby, the Gray Ghost, captured as he awaited a train to take him to General Stonewall Jackson. Rebuilt after this raid, the deopt was again burned by Union troops on February 29, 1864, and May 9, 1864, the last time by the cavalry of General George A. Custer. The existing depot was rebuilt and rededicated in 1866.

Erected 1990 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number ND-8.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 20, 1862.

Location. 37° 56.499′ N, 77° 39.273′ W. Marker is in Beaverdam, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is on Beaverdam School Road (County Route 739) 0.1 miles Beaverdam Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaverdam VA 23015, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 9 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Beaver Dam School (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bumpass (approx. 4.8 miles away); William Clark Birthplace (approx. 5.6 miles away); York (Born ca. 1770) (approx. 5.7 miles away); Jerdone Castle (approx. 6.8 miles away); Patrick Henry (approx. 7.7 miles away); a different marker also named Scotchtown (approx. 7.7 miles away); Cedar Creek Quaker Meeting House (approx. 8.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaverdam.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Scotchtown (was approx. 7.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Beaverdam Depot. Wikipedia article. (Submitted on July 29, 2014, by Jeff Conner of Norfolk, Virginia.)

Additional keywords. John S. Mosby, guerrilla, George A. Custer.

Looking east toward the depot. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Franklin Bell, February 4, 2008

2. Looking east toward the depot.

Looking southwest from in front of the depot. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Franklin Bell, February 4, 2008

3. Looking southwest from in front of the depot.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2008, by Franklin Bell of Bluemont, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,970 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2008, by Franklin Bell of Bluemont, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.