Sperryville in Rappahannock County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Sperryville

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2008

1. Sperryville Marker

Inscription. Laid out by Francis Thornton, Jr., in 1817, Sperryville survives as an upper Piedmont crossroads village. In the early 19th century John Kiger built Conestoga wagons here. By the 1850s two turnpikes (Thornton’s Gap and Sperryville & Rappahannock) intersected here. In 1867, the Smoot family, of Alexandria, built a nearby tannery that closed in 1911. By that time the town boasted four churches, five general stores, one hotel, six mills, numerous shops, a masonic hall, and a population of 350. Sperryville’s wooden residences and visual charm have long made it a familiar stop for seasonal tourists to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number J-31.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.

Location. 38° 39.54′ N, 78° 13.808′ W. Marker is in Sperryville, Virginia, in Rappahannock County. It is on Main Street (County Route 1001) south of Lee Highway (U.S. 211), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sperryville VA 22740, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: 21 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); John B. Kiger (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Kiger's Second Lot (about 500 feet away); 31 Main Street (about 600 feet away); 33 Main Street (about 600 feet away); Cavalry Engagement (about 600 feet away); Medical Miracle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hopkins Ordinary (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sperryville.

Also see . . . Sperryville Historic District. (PDF) National register documentation for the historic district. (Submitted on June 8, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 8, 2008

2. Sperryville Marker

Sperryville Today image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 7, 2009

3. Sperryville Today

Looking southeast from the marker location down Main Street.

Another View of Main Street Sperryville image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 7, 2009

4. Another View of Main Street Sperryville

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,669 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on June 8, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.