Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Three Notch’d Road

Three Notch'd Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Franklin Bell, February 3, 2008

1. Three Notch'd Road

Inscription. Also called Three Chopt Road, this colonial route ran from Richmond to the Shenandoah Valley. It likely took its name from three notches cut into trees to blaze the trail. A major east-west route across central Virginia from the 1730s, it was superceded by Route 250 in the 1930s. Part of Jack Jouett's famous ride and the Marquis de Lafayette's efforts to prevent Gen. Charles Cornwallis from obtaining munitions occured along this road. Today West Main Street and part of University Avenue approximate the Three Notch'd Road's original course through present-day Charlottesville.

Erected 1999 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-21.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list.

Location. 38° 1.776′ N, 78° 28.666′ W. Marker is in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is in Downtown Mall. It is on Main Street near 5th Street SE, in the median. Marker is at the upper end of the Main Street pedestrian mall in the historical district of Charlottesville. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charlottesville VA 22902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carousel (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Carousel (a few steps from this marker); University Street Railway Co. Stables and Car Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); James Madison (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Jefferson (within shouting distance of this marker); James Monroe (within shouting distance of this marker); President Monroe’s Local Homes (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stone Tavern and Central Hotel (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Short Pump Marker also tells some history relating to Three Notch'd Road.

The marker on the pedestrian mall in the historic district of Charlottesville. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Franklin Bell, February 3, 2008

2. The marker on the pedestrian mall in the historic district of Charlottesville.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2008, by Franklin Bell of Bluemont, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,690 times since then and 141 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2008, by Franklin Bell of Bluemont, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.