Longwood in Clarke County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Retreat

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

1. The Retreat Marker

Inscription. One and a half miles north is The Retreat, home to three distinguished generations of the Parker family. Thomas Parker, a general in the War of 1812, constructed this imposing Federal-style house in 1799. Richard Parker, his nephew, was a U.S. Senator, justice of the state Supreme Court of Appeals, and jury member at the trial of Aaron Burr. His son, Richard Elliot Parker, served in the U.S. House of Representatives and presided as a federal judge at the trial of John Brown. During the Civil War the Battle of Cool Springs was fought near The Retreat on 18 July 1864.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historical Resources. (Marker Number T-17.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • 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 18, 1864.

Location. 39° 7.38′ N, 77° 53.28′ W. Marker is in Longwood, Virginia, in Clarke County. It is at the intersection of Parker Lane and Harry Byrd Highway (Virginia Route 7), on the right when traveling west on Parker Lane. The marker is rather easy to miss, and is tucked away behind the safety rail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bluemont VA 20135, 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

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8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Castleman’s Ferry Fight (approx. half a mile away); Colonial Highway (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Cool Spring (approx. 1.3 miles away); Judge Parker's “Retreat” & the Battle of Cool Spring (approx. 1.3 miles away); Col. George D. Wells Leads the Way (approx. 1.4 miles away); Confederate Counterattack and Union Retreat (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Cool Spring (approx. 1.9 miles away); Appalachian Trail and Bears Den (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longwood.

Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of Cool Spring (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Battle of Cool Spring (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding The Retreat. The Retreat can be viewed after a short drive down Parker Lane past the grounds of Shenandoah University's Shenandoah River Campus. During the Battle of Cool Springs, a Federal Division occupied the grounds around The Retreat. The house is privately owned.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

2. The Retreat Marker

West Side of The Retreat image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

3. West Side of The Retreat

Close Up View of The Retreat image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 18, 2007

4. Close Up View of The Retreat

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,183 times since then and 90 times this year. Last updated on July 20, 2014, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 18, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.