Historical Markers and War Memorials in Caroline County, Virginia
Bowling Green is the county seat for Caroline County
Adjacent to Caroline County, Virginia
Essex County(42) ► Hanover County(282) ► King and Queen County(28) ► King George County(22) ► King William County(45) ► Spotsylvania County(407) ► Stafford County(213) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
On North Main Street (Virginia Route 2) at Courthouse Lane (Local Route 1204), on the right when traveling north on North Main Street.
On May 21, 1864, Gen. Winfield S. Hancock’s Second Corps passed through Bowling Green. Union soldiers broke into stores, looted homes and freed prisoners from the jail. Documents from the ransacked courthouse littered the streets.
A few bold . . . — — Map (db m207703) HM
On North Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
In honor of the 461 men of Caroline County
who served their country during the Great World War of 1914 - 1918.
Their names are recorded at the clerk's office
the following
made the supreme sacrifice
E.C. Purks, Robert Cooper, Lawless . . . — — Map (db m34457) HM
On Courthouse Lane, on the right when traveling east.
(front of marker) The first African-American slaves were brought to Caroline County around 1700. Few records were kept of their existence, except for their status and value as property and the occasional brush with the law. Many slaves of . . . — — Map (db m34350) HM
On North Main Street at Courthouse Lane, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street.
"For Those Who Fought For It, Freedom Has A Taste The Protected Will Never Know."
(back of marker) A project of H.E.L.P. Bowling Green with the generous support of: Citizens of Caroline, E.M. Gray & son, Dr. Cathie Butterworth, . . . — — Map (db m34349) HM
On North Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Reported permanently removed.
(front of marker) Erected by the people of Caroline County to commemorate the valor and endurance of its soldiers furnished to the Army of the Confederate States of America 1861 - 1865.
(left side of marker) 9th Regiment Va. . . . — — Map (db m116125) WM
On North Main Street (Business U.S. 301) at West Broaddus Avenue (Route 207), on the left when traveling north on North Main Street.
Born in Washington D.C., John Cephas grew up
there and in Caroline County. He was influenced
at an early age by his mother's singing. A cousin
taught him the highly syncopated and danceable
guitar style now known as Piedmont Blues, . . . — — Map (db m75730) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 2) at Courthouse Lane (Local Route 1204), on the right when traveling north on North Main Street.
Built approximately 1820, the Star Hotel was one of two taverns serving Bowling Green. During the Civil War, it was operated by the Henry Gouldman family, and became a notorious Confederate spy headquarters and safe haven to those who aided Lincoln . . . — — Map (db m207706) HM
On Courthouse Lane west of Ernie Street, on the right when traveling east.
The Caroline County Circuit Courthouse
was officially designated as
"The Honorable J. Peyton Farmer Circuit Courthouse"
by the Caroline County Board of Supervisors on
September 9, 2014
James Peyton Farmer was a distinguished jurist . . . — — Map (db m133745) HM
On North Main Street (Virginia Route 2) at Courthouse Lane, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street.
Est.
1837
The Historic District of the
Town of Bowling Green
is listed on the
Virginia Landmarks
Register
and the
National Register
of Historic Places — — Map (db m133743) HM
On Washington Highway (U.S. 1) at Oxford Road, on the right when traveling north on Washington Highway.
The earthworks in the angle between this stream and the North Anna River, held by a small Confederate force, were taken by Grant's troops moving southward on May 23, 1864. The Unionists then advanced to the river, on the south side of which was . . . — — Map (db m86146) HM
On Ladysmith Road (County Route 639) at Countyline Church Road (County Route 603), on the right when traveling east on Ladysmith Road.
William Clark was born to John and Ann Rogers
Clark on 1 Aug. 1770 on the family farm about
one mile north. The Clark family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1784. William Clark served in
the Kentucky militia and in the Indian campaigns
in the . . . — — Map (db m22561) HM
On Washington Highway (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling north.
Caroline County. Area 529 Square Miles. Formed in 1727 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William. Named for Queen Carline, wife of King George II. George Rogers Clark, Conqueror of the Northwest, passed his youth in this . . . — — Map (db m10642) HM
On Dawn Boulevard (Virginia Route 30), on the right when traveling east.
On this site overlooking the North Anna River, archaeological investigations conducted in 2006 in cooperation with Virginia tribes identified toolmaking camps dating to 8000 B.C. Indians used these camps repeatedly, especially from about 1000 B.C. . . . — — Map (db m10640) HM
On Washington Highway (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling north.
Lee and Grant faced each other on the North Anna, May 23-26, 1864. Union forces crossed here and four miles to the west but found they could not dislodge Lee's center, which rested on the stream. Grant then turned east to Cold Harbor. — — Map (db m10644) HM
On Dawn Blvd. (Virginia Route 30) 1.8 miles east of Interstate 95, on the left when traveling east.
This famous horsebreeding farm was established in 1936 by Christopher T. Chenery and continued under the management of his daughter, Helen “Penny” Chenery until 1979. Secretariat (1970–-1989), also known as “Big Red,” . . . — — Map (db m1890) HM
On Dawn Boulevard (Virginia Route 30) 0.8 miles west of Calno Road, on the right when traveling east.
Caroline County. Area 529 Square Miles. Formed in 1727 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William. Named for Queen Caroline, wife of King George II. George Rogers Clark, conqueror of the Northwest, passed his youth in this . . . — — Map (db m17789) HM
On Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) south of Cedar Fork Road (Virginia Route 601), on the right when traveling south.
Pioneers in asserting the right to religious freedom, the Caroline Friends (Quakers) held their first meeting nearby on 12 March 1739 together with their partner, Cedar Creek Friends Meeting of Hanover County. At a meeting on 9 May 1767, members . . . — — Map (db m9213) HM
Near Stonewall Jackson Road (Virginia Route 606) near Guinea Station Road (Virginia Route 634).
We had confidence in him that knew no bounds...his loss was irreparable.
Wills Lee, Richmond Howitzers
News of Stonewall Jackson's death stunned the South. "A greater sense of loss and deeper grief never followed the death of mortal . . . — — Map (db m220057) HM
Near Stonewall Jackson Road (Virginia Route 606) near Guinea Station Road (Virginia Route 634).
The farm office across the lawn is all that remains of the once-sprawling plantation called “Fairfield.” Thomas Coleman Chandler purchased Fairfield Plantation in 1845. For the next 17 years it prospered and evolved – largely at . . . — — Map (db m5604) HM
Near Stonewall Jackson Road (Virginia Route 606) near Guinea Station Road (Virginia Route 634).
General Winfield Hancock’s Union Second corps left Spotsylvania Court House after sunset on May 290, 1864. It trudged south along dark roads, headed toward Milford Station on the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad. Grant had ordered . . . — — Map (db m3308) HM
On Richmond Turnpike (U.S. 301) at Mt Gideon Road, on the left when traveling north on Richmond Turnpike.
Caroline County. Area 529 Square Miles. Formed in 1727 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William. Named for Queen Caroline, wife of King George II. George Rogers Clark, conqueror of the Northwest, passed his youth in this . . . — — Map (db m22269) HM
On Richmond Highway (U.S. 301) 3 miles south of Dawn Boulevard (Virginia Route 30), on the right when traveling south.
On 24 Aug. 1800, slave Ben Woolfolk met with other slaves at nearby Littlepage’s Bridge to recruit individuals for an insurrection planned for 30 Aug. The insurgents led by Gabriel, a slave owned by Thomas Henry Prosser of Henrico County, intended . . . — — Map (db m5611) HM
On Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) 0.2 miles north of Ladysmith Road (Virginia Route 639), on the right when traveling south.
In 1754, John and Ann Rogers Clark, with their sons Jonathan and George Rogers, moved from Albemarle County to a farm four miles west. There were born Ann, John, Richard, Edmund, Lucy, Elizabeth, William and Frances. During the Revolutionary War, . . . — — Map (db m9215) HM
On Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) 0.7 miles south of C C C Road (County Route 683), on the right when traveling north.
Lee camped here, on May 21, 1864, on his way to the North Anna to oppose Grant moving southward. Ewell's and Longstreet's corps rested here that night. — — Map (db m10648) HM
On Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) at Virginia Route 639, on the right when traveling south on Jefferson Davis Highway.
Unable to defeat Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederates during the Spotsylvania Courthouse battles 8-19 May 1864, Union commander Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's forces maneuvered east and south forcing Lee to abandon his entrenched position. The . . . — — Map (db m9214) HM
On Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) 0.2 miles north of Ladysmith Road (Virginia Route 639), on the right when traveling south.
Born in Caroline County in 1770, York was a slave of the William Clark family and the only African American on the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. Approximately 34 years old at the time, York was one of the hunters and also accompanied groups . . . — — Map (db m47378) HM
Caroline County. Area 529 Square Miles. Formed in 1727 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William. Named for Queen Caroline, wife of King George II. George Rogers Clark, conqueror of the Northwest, passed his youth in this . . . — — Map (db m22585) HM
On Richmond turnpike (U.S. 301) 0.2 miles north of Sparta Road, on the right when traveling north.
Six miles southeast is the site of Edmundsbury, home of Edmund Pendleton. Pendleton, born September 9, 1721, was in the House of Burgesses; a delegate to the Continental Congress; chairman of the Virginia Committee of Safety, 1775-6; president of . . . — — Map (db m22259) HM
On Richmond Turnpike (U.S. 301) at New Market Lane, on the right when traveling south on Richmond Turnpike.
Lt. Col. George Armistead (1780-1818). Known for his service in the War of 1812, George Armistead was born here at Newmarket plantation. Armistead distinguished himself in 1813 during the capture of Fort George, Canada, but is best known as . . . — — Map (db m82167) HM
On Colonial Road at Antioch Road, on the right when traveling south on Colonial Road.
Unable to crack Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s strongly fortified lines at Spotsylvania Court House, Union Gen. Grant ordered Gen. Winfield Hancock’s Second Corps to cross the Mattaponi River here at Milford Station and threaten the Confederate . . . — — Map (db m116534) HM
On Richmond Turnpike (U.S. 301) at Sparta Road (Virginia Route 721), on the right when traveling north on Richmond Turnpike.
Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter, of different racial backgrounds, grew up near Central Point, 11 miles east of here. They fell in love and in June 1958 were married in Washington, D.C. After returning to Central Point, they were arrested for . . . — — Map (db m119182) HM
On U.S. 17, 0.5 miles south of Ware Creek Road, on the right when traveling south.
Two miles north on the Rappahannock River. There Jubal A. Early, in December, 1862, confronted Burnside’s army on the other side of the river. His alertness prevented a crossing and battle at this point. — — Map (db m22576) HM
On U.S. 17 just north of Ware Creek Road, on the right when traveling south.
In 1669 and 1670, German-born John Lederer
led three expeditions to explore Virginia’s
Piedmont and the Carolinas that encouraged
further European exploration. The third
expedition began nearby at Robert Talifer’s
house near the Rappahannock . . . — — Map (db m22569) HM
On U.S. 17, 0.5 miles south of Ware Creek Road, on the right when traveling south.
This is the ancient Woodford Estate. Governor Spotswood and the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe stopped here on their way to the mountains, August, 1716. Here General William Woodford was born, October 6, 1734. He defeated Governor Lord Dunmore at . . . — — Map (db m22577) HM
On Jefferson Davis Hwy (U.S. 1) at Paige Road (Virginia Route 605), on the right when traveling north on Jefferson Davis Hwy.
A little to the east, at Nancy Wright's, Warren's (Fifth) and Wright's (Sixth) Corps, coming from the east, on May 22, 1864, turned south. Wright camped here on May 22. — — Map (db m3318) HM
On Tidewater Trail (U.S. 17) 1.1 miles east of Pepmeier Hill Road, on the right when traveling east.
In an outhouse here at Moss Neck, Stonewall Jackson had his headquarters, December, 1862-March, 1863. He was engaged in guarding the line of the Rappahannock with his corps of Lee's army. — — Map (db m19286) HM
On AP Hill Boulevard (U.S. 301) 2.3 miles south of Tidewater Trail (U.S. 17), on the right when traveling north.
This is the site of Locust Hill, Richard Henry Garrett's farm. Early on the morning of 26 April 1865, a 16th New York Cavalry detachment cornered John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, and his co-conspirator, David E. Herold, . . . — — Map (db m151255) HM
On Water Street at Main Street (U.S. 301), on the left when traveling west on Water Street.
The daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Buckner and the widow of Charles Smith, Dorothy Smith married John Roy in 1719. John Roy was the owner of a tobacco warehouse at Port Royal, Virginia - a facility to which local planters brought their tobacco to . . . — — Map (db m57538) HM
On US 17, 0.5 miles north of Supply Road, on the right when traveling south.
Essex County. Area 258 square miles. Formed in 1691 from Old Rappahannock County, and named for Essex County, England. R.M.T. Hunter, United States Senator and Confederate Secretary of State, lived in this county.
Caroline . . . — — Map (db m7302) HM
On Tidewater Trail (U.S. 17), on the left when traveling south. Reported permanently removed.
Here was the home of John Taylor of Caroline, Jefferson’s chief political lieutenant and leading advocate of states rights. He died here in 1824. — — Map (db m22582) HM
On Tidewater Trail (U.S. 17) 0.1 miles north of Hazelwood Lane (Virginia Route 675), on the right when traveling north.
Hazelwood was the home plantation of John Taylor of Caroline (1753-1824), agricultural reformer and political theorist. Taylor studied law under his uncle, the jurist Edmund Pendleton, and was an officer in the Revolutionary War. He served in the . . . — — Map (db m186681) HM
On U.S. 301, 2.5 miles south of U.S. 17, on the right when traveling north. Reported missing.
This is the Garrett place where John Wilkes Booth, assassin of Lincoln, was cornered by Union soldiers and killed, April 26, 1865. The house stood a short distance from this spot. — — Map (db m1584) HM
On King Street, 0.1 miles north of Cumberland Street, on the right when traveling north.
The town was established in 1744 and was one of the principal shipping points on the Rappahannock River in colonial times. In December, 1862, Burnside, commanding the Army of the Potomac, considered crossing the river here but finally moved up to . . . — — Map (db m21457) HM
On King Street north of Water Street, on the right when traveling north.
Port Royal possessed the finest harbor on the middle reaches of the Rappahannock River. Although the town's permanent wharf had been destroyed by Union gunboats before the Battle of Fredericksburg, the excellent harbor made Port Royal an obvious . . . — — Map (db m57537) HM
On King Street near Water Street, on the right when traveling north.
Following the first treaties between the English and the Powhatan confederacy, colonial settlement expended up the Rappahannock River. One of the earliest land patents was held by Col. John Catlett. In 1670 he was killed defending the small . . . — — Map (db m133746) HM
On King Street at Caroline Street, on the left when traveling north on King Street.
In front of you is the Brockenbrough-Peyton House where fugitives John Wilkes Booth and David Herold accompanied by three former Confederate soldiers arrived about 2:30 pm April 24, 1865, 10 days after Booth shot Lincoln. The owner, Randolph . . . — — Map (db m207405) HM
On King Street, 0.1 miles north of Water Street, on the right when traveling north.
This site represents an important part of the heritage and development of Caroline County. After the chartering of the town of Port Royal in 1744, this excellent harbor served the large tobacco trade between local plantations and London. A warehouse . . . — — Map (db m22248) HM
On Water Street west of Market Street, on the right when traveling west.
St. Peter's Church
Consecrated by
Bishop Moore
May-15th 1836
This church replaced
earlier buildings
destroyed by fire.
The Parish St. Mary's,
Dates to 1677
to it came from
England an early pipe . . . — — Map (db m133747) HM
Based on artifacts excavated in and around Port Royal, archaeologists estimate that the area was inhabited as early as 11,000 years ago. At the time the English arrived, the area was occupied by tribes united in a confederacy ruled by Powhatan. The . . . — — Map (db m57545) HM
On King Street, on the right when traveling north.
Until the coming of the railroads in the 19th century, the Rappahannock River town of Port Royal was the commercial center of what is now Caroline County, Virginia. Like many ports, it was a raucous place and boasted a disproportionate number of . . . — — Map (db m57543) HM
On Middle Street at Main Street (Route 301) on Middle Street.
On this lot in 1820 the first church to be constructed in the Town of Port Royal was built. The brick building had 12 windows and was inter-denominational. By 1844 it was known as the Methodist Church, even though ministers of other denominations . . . — — Map (db m57503) HM
On AP Hill Boulevard (U.S. 301) at Tidewater Trail (U.S. 17), on the right when traveling south on AP Hill Boulevard.
On this road two miles south is the Garrett place. There John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin, was found by Union cavalry and killed while resisting arrest, April 26, 1865. — — Map (db m22246) HM
On this site stood colonial Mount Church, built about 1750. In 1808 the parish glebe was sold and the proceeds were used to establish a school; the church building was turned into Rappahannock Academy, one of the most noted schools in Virginia. — — Map (db m22578) HM
On Jericho Road (Virginia Route 207) at Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1), on the left when traveling south on Jericho Road.
The scattered corps of the Union army reunited here at Carmel Church (known during the war as Mount Carmel Church) on May 23 before attacking Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee across the North Anna River, approximately three miles ahead. Gen. Winfield . . . — — Map (db m3693) HM
On Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) at Jericho Road (Virginia Route 207), on the right when traveling south on Jefferson Davis Highway.
Here, at Mount Carmel Church, on May 23, 1864, Hancock’s (Second) Corps turned south to the North Anna River; Warren’s (Fifth) Corps and Wright’s (Sixth) Corps here turned west to Jericho Mills on the River. Grant had his headquarters in the church . . . — — Map (db m3696) HM
On Roundabout Road, 0.1 miles south of Jericho Road (Virginia Route 658), on the left when traveling south.
This tablet is placed here in the year 1922 by the churches of
The Hermon Baptist Association
to commemorate the heroism of
Bartholomew Chewning •
John Young •
Lewis Craig •
Edward Herndon •
John Burrus •
James Goodrich . . . — — Map (db m180256) HM
On South River Road, on the right when traveling south.
"At the church…the 9th Corps was marching past, and Burnside was sitting, like a comfortable abbot, in one of the pews, surrounded by his buckish staff whose appearance is the reverse of clerical.” – Theodore Lyman, aide-de-camp . . . — — Map (db m116535) HM
On Artillery Drive north of Stonewall Jackson Road (Virginia Route 606), on the left when traveling north.
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania—this is the bloodiest landscape in North America. No place more vividly reflects the Civil War's cost in all its forms. A city bombarded, bloodied, and looted. Farms large and small . . . — — Map (db m119623) HM
On Fredericksburg Turnpike (State Highway 2), on the right when traveling north.
Spotsylvania County. Area 413 Square Miles. Formed in 1720 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William, and named for Alexander Spotswood, governor of Virginia, 1710-1722. The battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the . . . — — Map (db m21586) HM
On Jefferson Davis Hwy (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling north.
Spotsylvania County. Straddling the fall line, Spotsylvania County was formed from Essex, King William, and King and Queen Counties in 1720. It was named for Alexander Spotswood, lieutenant governor of Virginia from 1710 to 1722. The Civil War . . . — — Map (db m3319) HM
Near Stonewall Jackson Road (Virginia Route 606) near Guinea Station Road (Virginia Route 634).
War brought profound changes to the Chandler family, Fairfield, and the slaves who toiled on the plantation. Three of Thomas Chandler’s sons enlisted in the Confederate army. When the Union army occupied Fredericksburg in 1862 many of Chandler’s . . . — — Map (db m3313) HM
