Historical Markers and War Memorials in Clarke County, Virginia
Berryville is the county seat for Clarke County
Adjacent to Clarke County, Virginia
Fauquier County(119) ► Frederick County(231) ► Loudoun County(345) ► Warren County(45) ► Berkeley County, West Virginia(107) ► Jefferson County, West Virginia(349) ►
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To draw Union troops from Petersburg to Washington, Confederate Gen. Jubal A. Early attacked the capital’s defenses on July 11, 1864. He then withdrew to the Shenandoah Valley, where he had left Gen. John C. Breckinridge’s division to hold the . . . — — Map (db m1201) HM
Three miles north in July 1864, General Jubal Early’s army, returning from his raid on Washington, was attacked by Federal units which forced a passage of the river. On July 18, Colonel Joseph Thoburn led his troops against the Confederates but was . . . — — Map (db m138516) HM
This is one of the oldest roads leading from the east to the Shenandoah Valley; It crosses the Blue Ridge at Snicker’s Gap. The ferry right over the Shenandoah River was granted, 1766. Washington used this road many times. Some distance to the east . . . — — Map (db m1840) HM
The house to the north is the home of Nellie Parke Custis, George Washington’s ward, who married his nephew, Major Lawrence Lewis. After her husband’s death in 1839, Nellie Custis Lewis settled here, and here she died in 1852. — — Map (db m69004) HM
Warner Washington, a first cousin of George Washington, acquired land in this area in the 1760's. His namesake son established a plantation later known as Audley and built a house just north of here ca. 1796. Lawrence Lewis, George Washington's . . . — — Map (db m134605) HM
Established in 1881, Bank of Clarke County opened for business at 18 North Church Street in Berryville. On December 2, 1906, the bank moved to this site and has been operating continuously ever since.
Bank President Ammashaddi Moore . . . — — Map (db m157721) HM
As it maneuvered against Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early’s Army of the Valley, Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s U.S. Army of the Shenandoah marched south from Halltown, reaching Berryville on 3 Sept. 1864. Finding part of Brig. Gen. George Crook’s corps . . . — — Map (db m1781) HM
Benjamin Berry, son of Henry Berry of King George County, settled in what is now Clarke County prior to the Revolution, and in 1798, he procured the formal establishment of the town of Berryville, the town having been platted by him, and consisting . . . — — Map (db m1810) HM
Initially known as "Battletown" for the Saturday night brawls that took place at the local inns, the town of Berryville was officially chartered in 1798 and named for Benjamin Berry, a local businessman. The new town became the county seat when . . . — — Map (db m157717) HM
The town was laid out in 1798 on land of Benjamin Berry and was first known as Battletown. Here at “Audley” lived Nellie Custis, Washington’s adopted daughter. Here at “Soldiers Rest” lived General Daniel Morgan, who built . . . — — Map (db m1788) HM
Before 1798 Berryville was known as Battletown, a name that perhaps originated from a local tavern famous for its fistfights. The General assembly incorporated the town of Berryville on 15 Jan. 1798. Located at a major crossroads of the Shenandoah . . . — — Map (db m1811) HM
Just after dawn on 13 Aug. 1864, Col. John Singleton Mosby and 300 of his 43rd Battalion Partisan Rangers attacked the rear section of Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s 600-vehicle wagon train here. The train, headed for Winchester, carried supplies . . . — — Map (db m1785) HM
Organized near this spot by Wm. and Daniel Fristoe in 1772. Constituted by elders John Marks and John Garrard, the later serving as its pastor. James Ireland served as pastor from 1778–1806 and is buried here. — — Map (db m1831) HM
The short story of "Our Land is Our Legacy" begins with Virginia's Tidewater planters migrating to the northern Shenandoah Valley to take advantage of the fertile lands and abundant water. What we now know as Clarke County was primarily colonized . . . — — Map (db m157715) HM
1861 1865
Erected to the memory of the Sons of Clarke who gave their lives in defense of the rights of the states and of constitutional government
Fortune denied them success but they achieved imperishable fame
Co. D 6th Va. Regt. Cav. . . . — — Map (db m209783) WM
The year after Clarke County was formed in 1836, construction began on a brick courthouse based on county justice David Meade’s design. The courthouse was remodeled in the Neoclassical style about 1850 when the portico and cupola were added. . . . — — Map (db m1296) HM
Harry Flood Byrd Sr. (1887-1966), governor of Virginia (1926-1930) and U.S. senator from Virginia (1933-1965), was a conservative Democrat who led a political machine that directed state politics for four decades. As governor, he instituted . . . — — Map (db m123655) HM
Harry Flood Byrd Sr. (1887-1966), governor of Virginia (1926-1930) and U.S. senator (1933-1965), was a conservative Democrat who led a political organization that directed state politics for four decades. As governor, he reorganized state . . . — — Map (db m138398) HM
Clarke County is proud to be home to two historic driving tours. They include all four of our historically designated towns and villages. Combined with the National Register Historic Districts of which they are part, they make up over 38 percent . . . — — Map (db m157718) HM
In memory of
1746 James Ireland 1806
Minister of the Gospel
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland and converted in Frederick County, Va.
Baptized and ordained at Sandy Creek, N.C. Imprisoned at Culpeper,
Va. for preaching the gospel organizer . . . — — Map (db m221644) HM
To improve the lives of former slaves, Ellen McCormick, widow of Edward McCormick of Clermont, established this African American community of 31 one-acre lots early in the 1870s. The lots, laid out on either side of the 16-foot-wide street that . . . — — Map (db m1805) HM
Early in the 1870's African Americans established Josephine City, a community originally composed of 31 one-acre lots lining a 16-foot-wide street. Twenty-four former slaves and free blacks purchased the lots at $100 an acre from Ellen McCormick, . . . — — Map (db m85942) HM
Much of Clarke County was literally built by enslaved Africans. The 1840 census revealed 55 percent of the County's population was "colored". Those men, women, and children, whose forebearers came as property came as property of the first . . . — — Map (db m157720) HM
Wheat farming and flour milling were the backbone of the Clarke County economy for more than 150 years. Throughout those years, we were home to at least 60 mills and tiny Clarke County contributed mightily to the Shenandoah Valley's . . . — — Map (db m172247) HM
Gen. Robert E. Lee bivouacked near here on 18-19 June 1863, as he began his invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Part of his Army of Northern Virginia marched north toward Winchester, while Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s corps camped here with Lee. . . . — — Map (db m1786) HM
This 16-square-mile scenic landscape illustrates the changing patterns of rural life since the 1730s as shown in its plantations, farms, mills, churches, and African American communities. The first settlers came from various places, including New . . . — — Map (db m5595) HM
Lucy Slowe, educator, was born in Berryville.
In 1908, while attending Howard University,
she became a founding member of Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, the first Greek letter organization
for African American women, and was elected
its first . . . — — Map (db m104725) HM
ORIGINAL STOCKHOLDERS: T.T. Brown, Coon Reed,
George Blair, Samuel Robertson, Frank Randolph, Robert
Hall, Howard Coxen, London Mitchell, George Tokus,
Emanuel Blackburn, Joseph Thornley, Joseph Webb, Edmund
Jackson, Thomas Laws Jr., Jerry . . . — — Map (db m104756) HM
Every year, hundreds of acres of land are placed in conservation easement by the citizens of Clarke County (see light green parcels in the map). These citizens are new landowners, second and third generation landowners, and descendants of the . . . — — Map (db m157716) HM
In 1882, the former slaves and free colored people of this community built the Josephine City School to provide their children with a grade school education. Under the leadership of Rev. Edward Johnson, a new building was completed in 1930 to . . . — — Map (db m5513) HM
Traveler was tethered on this spot June 21, 1863, as General Robert E. Lee paused on his march to Gettysburg. He attended services here in Grace Episcopal Church. Tablet placed by Sycamore Society 1986 Replaced by E.V. White Chapter, MOSB and . . . — — Map (db m173645) HM
In 1926, Graham F. Blandy bequeathed a 712-acre portion of his estate, The Tuleyries, to the University of Virginia to educate “boys farming in the various branches.” Beginning late in the 1920s, the two-story, century-old brick slave . . . — — Map (db m1812) HM
Clark County. Area 171 Square Miles. Formed in 1836 from Frederick and added to from Warren. Named for George Rogers Clark, conqueror of the Northwest. Lord Fairfax and General Daniel Morgan, Revolutionary hero, lived in this . . . — — Map (db m3483) HM
Three miles south is Greenway Court, residence of Thomas, Sixth Lord Fairfax, proprietor of the vast Northern Neck Grant, which he inherited. Born in Leeds Castle, England, in 1693, Fairfax settled in Virginia, in 1747, for the rest of his life. He . . . — — Map (db m1755) HM
Lord Fairfax worshipped here in the “Old Chapel” of colonial Frederick Parish, established 1738. This stone building dates from 1790 and witnessed the early ministry (1810–1885) of Bishop Meade. Governor Edmund Randolph and Col. Nathaniel Burwell . . . — — Map (db m1852) HM
The Virginia General established Frederick Parish in 1738, and a log sanctuary was built here ca. 1747. A stone church, later known as Old Chapel, replaced the log building ca. 1793. The Rev. William Meade served the congregation for about 25 years . . . — — Map (db m230298) HM
A half-mile east, Revolutionary War hero Daniel Morgan began this limestone Georgian mansion in 1779 while on furlough. He named it for the Battle of Saratoga in which he had recently distinguished himself. The house was probably constructed by . . . — — Map (db m1813) HM
Two and a half miles to the northwest stands The Briars, as stuccoed stone, two-story, five-bay dwelling that was constructed around 1819 as the home of Dr. Robert Powell Page. His daughter, Mary Francis Page, married John Esten Cooke, noted . . . — — Map (db m192471) HM
Boyce was established in 1880 at the intersection of the newly constructed Shenandoah Valley Railroad (now Norfolk Southern) and the road between the Shenandoah River and Winchester (formerly the Winchester and Berry's Ferry Turnpike). First . . . — — Map (db m1814) HM
This 2,100-mile-long hiking path passes through 14 states from Mount Katahdin, Me., to Springer Mountain, Ga., along the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921 by Benton MacKaye, the trail was completed in 1937. It was designated a . . . — — Map (db m1207) HM
To draw Union troops from Petersburg to Washington, Confederate Gen. Jubal A. Early attacked the capital’s defenses on July 11, 1864. He then withdrew to the Shenandoah Valley, where he had left Gen. John C. Breckinridge’s division to hold the . . . — — Map (db m76626) HM
(Preface): In June 1864, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee sent Gen. Jubal A. Early's corps from the Richmond battlefields to the Shenandoah Valley to counter Union Gen. David Hunter's army. After driving Hunter into West Virginia, Early . . . — — Map (db m133228) HM
Clark County. Area 171 Square Miles. Formed in 1836 from Frederick, and added to from Warren. Named for George Rogers Clark, Conqueror of the Northwest. Lord Fairfax and General Daniel Morgan, Revolutionary hero, lived in this . . . — — Map (db m1394) HM
(Preface)
In June 1864, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee detached Gen. Jubal A. Early's corps from the Richmond battlefields and dispatched it to the Shenandoah Valley to counter Union Gen. David Hunter's army. After driving Hunter into . . . — — Map (db m201506) HM
In June 1864, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee detached Gen. Jubal A. Early's corps from the Richmond battlefields and dispatched it to the Shenandoah Valley to counter Union Gen. David Hunter's army. After driving Hunter into West Virginia, . . . — — Map (db m244552) HM
Early, while passing through this gap on his return from his Washington raid, was attacked by Crook’s cavalry, July 16, 1864. Crook destroyed a few wagons, Early captured a cannon. — — Map (db m1204) HM
From nearby Bear's Den Mountain to the Catoctin Ridge, a distance of fourteen miles, Dr. Mahlon Loomis, dentist, sent the first arial wireless signals, 1866-73, using kites flown by copper wires. Loomis received a patent in 1872 and his company was . . . — — Map (db m1205) HM
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. . . . — — Map (db m75497) HM
We “fired ninety rounds at the enemy… across the river.”
—Lt. Jacob H. Lamb, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery.
Across the Shenandoah River from where you stand, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Rodes's division . . . — — Map (db m133310) HM
Ashby’s Gap was named in honor of John Ashby, a leader among local pioneers and reputedly the first person to haul a hogshead of tobacco through this gap. Part of the house standing just to the south may have been erected in the 1740s by Thomas . . . — — Map (db m1333) HM
Col. Nathaniel Burwell, great-grandson of Robert "King" Carter, constructed Carter Hall in the mid-1790s after moving here from Tidewater Virginia. Edmund Randolph Governor of Virginia, U.S. Attorney General, and U.S. Secretary of State, died here . . . — — Map (db m72942) HM
Clark County. Area 171 square miles. Formed in 1836 from Frederick and added to from Warren. Named for George Rogers Clark, conqueror of the northwest. Lord Fairfax and General Daniel Morgan, revolutionary hero, lived in this . . . — — Map (db m1451) HM
This 30-square-mile scenic landscape illustrates the evolution of a unique rural community. Unlike the rest of the Shenandoah Valley, where mostly Scots-Irish and German immigrants settled on small farms, Virginia Tidewater gentry occupied most of . . . — — Map (db m1848) HM
This Classical Revival mansion built for Robert Carter Burwell is one of the few remaining residential works in which B. Henry Latrobe, father of the American architectural profession, played a role in design. Latrobe offered suggestions to Burwell . . . — — Map (db m1817) HM
This village developed around two late-18th-century gristmills and Nathaniel Burwell’s Carter Hall plantation, one of the preeminent estates in the area. The Burwell-Morgan Mill in the center of the village was a commercial gristmill, while the . . . — — Map (db m172179) HM
This grist mill, built in 1782-85 by General Daniel Morgan of Saratoga and Colonel Nathaniel Burwell of Carter Hall, was in continuous operation until 1943. Now owned by the Clarke County Historical Association. — — Map (db m1637) HM
This post was originally placed here by George Washington under the direction of Lord Fairfax. It was erected in 1750 as a guidepost to direct strangers and travelers on the Old Dutch Wagon Road to Greenway Court, the home of Lord Fairfax. — — Map (db m1759) HM
Clark County. Area 171 Square Miles. Formed in 1836 from Frederick and added to from Warren. Named for George Rogers Clark, conqueror of the Northwest. Lord Fairfax and General Daniel Morgan, Revolutionary hero, lived in this . . . — — Map (db m3481) HM
Early in the 19th century, three important roads crossed here: Nineveh Turnpike leading to Front Royal, Winchester Turnpike leading to the north, and Newton Turnpike connecting Stephens City and the Shenandoah River via the Winchester and Berrys . . . — — Map (db m1751) HM
Greenway Court
Has Been designated a
National
Historic Landmark
This site possesses National Significance
in Commemorating the History of the
United States of America
1980
Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service
United States . . . — — Map (db m70247) HM
The crossroads village of White Post grew up around the white-painted marker that Lord Fairfax had erected in the 1760s to point the way to Greenway Court (south), the nearby estate from which he managed his vast proprietary holdings including . . . — — Map (db m1757) HM
1819 Original stone building
1846 Present brick building
1919 Chapel of Grace Church
Annual homecoming service
second Sunday in August — — Map (db m19067) HM
