Fincastle in Botetourt County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort William

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, February 3, 2013

1. Fort William Marker

Inscription. Col. William Preston constructed Fort William nearby in 1755 during the French and Indian War (1754 – 1763) as one in a series of fortifications to protect Virginia’s frontier. A group of Indians paid a friendly visit in Oct. 1755, and Col. George Washington inspected the fort during his frontier tour in 1756. Indians attacked the fort in Oct. 1756 but were repulsed. In 1763, during Pontiac’s War (1763 – 1764), nearby settlers flocked to Fort William for protection.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number D-29.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • 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. 37° 27.336′ N, 79° 53.423′ W. Marker is in Fincastle, Virginia, in Botetourt County. It is at the intersection of Roanoke Road (U.S. 220) and Trinity Road, on the right when traveling north on Roanoke Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fincastle VA 24090, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Greenfield (approx. 1.6 miles away); Santillane (approx. 2.7 miles

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away); Fincastle (approx. 3.1 miles away); Botetourt County Courthouse Fire (approx. 3.1 miles away); Breckinridge Mill (approx. 3.3 miles away); Daleville College (approx. 3.9 miles away); Coming of the Railroad (approx. 3.9 miles away); a different marker also named Cloverdale Furnace (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fincastle.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Cloverdale Furnace (was approx. 5.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, February 3, 2013

2. Fort William Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, February 3, 2013

3. Fort William Marker

The marker is seen here looking north on US 220.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,654 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 3, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.