Near Leesylvania in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Powells Creek Crossing
Photographed By Kevin W., February 8, 2008
1. Powells Creek Crossing Marker
Inscription.
Powells Creek Crossing. . Efforts began in 1864, but it wasn’t until July 2, 1872, with the aid of the Pennsylvania Railroad, that this section of rail line opened for service. The crossing at Powell’s Creek was 1,100 feet in length and constructed of heavy timber supplied by the Troth and Willis lumberyard located on Neabsco Creek next to the park entrance. White and black oak, poplar, gum, and beech provided all of the wood necessary for bridges between Quantico and Washington. The line eventually came under the ownership of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad, who in 1928 replaced the original timber bridge with a concrete deck bridge that allowed for larger and faster trains. The wooden trestle and numerous curves of the original track limited the speed in the area to not more than 20 miles per hour. At the time of its replacement, the crossing at Powells Creek was the last wooden trestle bridge on the line. During very low tides you can still see remains of wood pilings that once supported the bridge.
Efforts began in 1864, but it wasn’t until July 2, 1872, with the aid of the Pennsylvania Railroad, that this section of rail line opened for service. The crossing at Powell’s Creek was 1,100 feet in length and constructed of heavy timber supplied by the Troth and Willis lumberyard located on Neabsco Creek next to the park entrance. White and black oak, poplar, gum, and beech provided all of the wood necessary for bridges between Quantico and Washington. The line eventually came under the ownership of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad, who in 1928 replaced the original timber bridge with a concrete deck bridge that allowed for larger and faster trains. The wooden trestle and numerous curves of the original track limited the speed in the area to not more than 20 miles per hour. At the time of its replacement, the crossing at Powells Creek was the last wooden trestle bridge on the line. During very low tides you can still see remains of wood pilings that once supported the bridge.
38° 35.116′ N, 77° 15.757′ W. Marker is near Leesylvania, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is on Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woodbridge VA 22191, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. On the left is an artist’s rendition of the wooden trestle bridge that crossed Powells creek at this location.
Photographed By Kevin W., February 8, 2008
2. Powells Creek Crossing Marker
Photographed By Kevin W., February 8, 2008
3. Powells Creek Crossing
Old pilings next to modern concrete deck bridge.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,293 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on October 3, 2023, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 9, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
