Near Swift Run in Rockingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Knights of the Golden Horseshoe
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 22, 2007
1. Knighs of the Golden Horseshoe Marker
Inscription.
Knights of the Golden Horseshoe. . On 5 Sept. 1716, in this region, it is believed, Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood and his party of government officials, gentry, Native Americans, soldiers, and servants crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Shenandoah Valley. Their adventure into Virginia’s western lands began at Germanna late in Aug. and ended when they returned there on 10 Sept. According to legend, Spotswood gave his companions small golden horseshoes on their return and the group became known as the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe. The journey has been fictionalized and mythologized in literature since the 19th century.
On 5 Sept. 1716, in this region, it is believed, Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood and his party of government officials, gentry, Native Americans, soldiers, and servants crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Shenandoah Valley. Their adventure into Virginia’s western lands began at Germanna late in Aug. and ended when they returned there on 10 Sept. According to legend, Spotswood gave his companions small golden horseshoes on their return and the group became known as the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe. The journey has been fictionalized and mythologized in literature since the 19th century.
Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number D-10.)
Location. 38° 21.459′ N, 78° 32.829′ W. Marker is near Swift Run, Virginia, in Rockingham County. Marker is at the intersection of Spotswood Trail (U.S. 33) and Skyline Drive, on the right when traveling east on Spotswood Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elkton VA 22827, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker
Regarding Knights of the Golden Horseshoe. See the marker page for the nearby “Sic Juvat Transcendere Montes” marker for Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall’s story of The Knights of the Horseshoe.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Trace the path of the expidition by way of markers.
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 22, 2007
2. Marker on Spotswood Trail (US 33)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 27, 2007
3. Three Markers at the Summit of the Pass
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,069 times since then and 172 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 7, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
