The town of Bridgewater was a center of Confederate logistical activity during the Civil War. It also sent one company of infantry, the Bridgewater Grays, to the 10th Virginia Infantry Regiment, which fought in most of the major battles in Virginia . . . — — Map (db m16438) HM
After his victory at the Battle of McDowell on May 8, 1862, Gen. Stonewall Jackson made plans to attack another Federal force in the Shenandoah Valley. Earlier he had ordered Col. John D. Imboden to burn the bridges at Mount Crawford and Bridgewater . . . — — Map (db m16439) HM
On Spring Creek Road (Virginia Route 613) at Beaver Creek Road (Virginia Route 752), on the right when traveling north on Spring Creek Road.
Founded near this site in 1880, the college is now located 4.3 miles east in the town of Bridgewater. This liberal arts college is affiliated with the Church of the Brethren. It grew out of the Spring Creek Normal School and Collegiate Institute and . . . — — Map (db m32107) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 42), on the right when traveling north.
In its 82 year history, the Warm Springs Turnpike was used by many noted travelers. Daniel Boone, when an old man, used the road when he visited the sons of his boyhood friend Henry Miller at Mossy Creek Ironworks to the south of Bridgewater. He . . . — — Map (db m16485) HM
On Warm Springs Pike (Virginia Route 42) 0.8 miles north of Mussoq Creek Road (Virginia Route 747), on the right when traveling north.
(Obverse)
Rockingham County
Area 876 Square Miles
Formed in 1778 from Augusta, and named for the Marquis of Rockingham, British statesman. John Sevier, of Tennessee, was born in this county. In it took place the battles of Cross . . . — — Map (db m88642) HM
On The Mall of Bridgewater College just north of East College Street, on the left when traveling south.
This building was erected 1962-63 and dedicated 1964. It honors the memory of Alexander Mack Sr., follower of Christ, leader of men, and seeker after truth who was founder and first minister of the Church of the Brethren. He was born at . . . — — Map (db m98084) HM
(Front of Monument):At This Place Eld John Kline Was Killed June 15, 1864 (Reverse of Monument):Erected in the Year 1914 In Memory of Elder John Kline A Peace Martyr This parcel of ground, 10 feet square, is se- cured by deed and is on . . . — — Map (db m15632) HM
On Broadway Avenue just east of South Main Street (Virginia Route 42), on the right when traveling east.
In honor of all Veterans who served their country and dedicated to the men and women of this area who served our country in World War I — World War II — Korea — Vietnam — Desert Storm — and peace keeping missions, and . . . — — Map (db m158147) WM
On Lee Highway (U.S. 11) south of Summit Church Road, on the left when traveling south.
Rockingham County. Area 876 square miles. Formed in 1778 from Augusta, and named for the Marquis of Rockingham, British statesman. John Seiver, of Tennessee, was born in this county. In it took place the battles of Cross Keys and Port . . . — — Map (db m12369) HM
On Port Republic Road (County Route 659) south of Cross Keys Road (Virginia Route 276), on the right when traveling south. Reported missing.
Early on June 8, 1862, Union commander Gen. John C. Frémont
viewed the field at Cross Keys and without proper reconnaissance
assumed that Gen. Richard S. Ewell’s left flank was the strong side
of the Confederate line. Frémont ordered his . . . — — Map (db m25549) HM
On Port Republic Road (County Route 659) south of Cross Keys Road (Virginia Route 276), on the right when traveling south. Reported missing.
Confederate Gen. Richard S. Ewell had five artillery batteries with him at Cross Keys. Four batteries and a 2-gun section (about 18 guns total) were massed on the ridgeline to your front. At the time of the battle on June 8, 1862, the ridge was . . . — — Map (db m25550) HM
On Port Republic Road (County Route 659) south of Cross Keys Road (Virginia Route 276), on the right when traveling south. Reported missing.
During the Civil War, this battlefield contained some of the most productive
farmland in the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia, as it does today. At
the time of the battle, these fields were in stands of wheat, buckwheat, rye,
corn, and clover. . . . — — Map (db m25551) HM
On Cross Keys Road (State Road 276) 0.5 miles west of Port Republic Road (State Road 253), on the right when traveling east.
General R.S. Ewell with 8,000 soldiers of General Stonewall Jackson's army repulsed a Federal attacking column of 10,500 under General John C. Frémont. After initial success the Federals were checked by the fire of Confederate artillery. Attacks by . . . — — Map (db m46563) HM
Near Goods Mill Road (County Route 708), on the right when traveling south.
On June 8, 1862, Confederate Gen. Isaac R, Trimble led part of the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment through the then-swampy ravine in front of you to attack Union Gen. Louis Blenker’s division. Trimble intended to move around the 54th New York . . . — — Map (db m154621) HM
Near Goods Mill Road (County Route 708), on the right when traveling south.
After repulsing the initial Union attack, Confederate Gen. Isaac R. Trimble’s brigade heavily engaged two brigades of Union Gen. Louis Blenker’s division near here on June 8, 1862.
During the afternoon fighting, Col. James A. Walker’s . . . — — Map (db m154622) HM
Near Goods Mill Road (Route 708), on the right when traveling south.
Many immigrants fought for the North and the South during the Civil War. Their numbers were especially high in Gen. Louis Blenker’s division of Gen. John C. Fremont’s Union army at Cross Keys on June 8, 1862.
Two Germans (Gen. Henry Bohlen and . . . — — Map (db m154624) HM
Near Port Republic Road (Route 659), on the right when traveling south.
On June 8, 1862, during the Battle of Cross Keys, Gen. Isaac R. Trimble’s Confederate brigade of a little more than 1,500 men occupied this line, a masked position behind a split-rail fence in what was then a wood line to your right and left. . . . — — Map (db m159602) HM
On Port Republic Road (County Route 659) south of Cross Keys Road (Virginia Route 276), on the right when traveling south.
Here, June 8, 1862, Gen. J. C. Fremont—pursuing Gen. T. J. “Stonewall” Jackson—was checked by Gen. R. S. Ewell with part of Jackson’s army, which lay towards Port Republic. Federals engaged: 12,750, killed and wounded: 684. . . . — — Map (db m4056) HM
Near Cross Keys Road (Route 276) 0.5 miles west of Oak Shade Road (Virginia Route 676), on the right when traveling west.
Kyles Mill House
has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
circa 1741
Kyles Mill
House
circa 1741
Harrisonburg-Rockingham
Historical . . . — — Map (db m158101) HM
On Port Republic Road (Route 659), on the right when traveling east.
This church, Mill Creek Church of the Brethren, stands on the site of an antebellum house of worship that, during the Battle of Cross Keys on June 8, 1862, was used as a hospital. Amputated arms and legs were dropped outside from a window and piled . . . — — Map (db m154641) HM
On Battlefield Road (Route 679), on the right when traveling east.
Following Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s victory at Winchester, Union troops pursued the Confederates south, “up” the Shenandoah Valley. While Gen. John C. Fremont advanced on the Valley Turnpike, another Union force, . . . — — Map (db m154642) HM
On Silver Lake Road (County Route 701) at Linhoss Road, on the left when traveling north on Silver Lake Road.
During the Civil War, the Daniel Bowman Mill occupied this site, grinding wheat brought here by Rockingham County farmers. The county was part of the prosperous agricultural region known as the “breadbasket of the Confederacy.” It was no . . . — — Map (db m129377) HM
On John Wayland Highway (Route 42), on the left when traveling north.
In the fall of 1864, attacks by Confederate raiders and bushwhackers angered Federal officers in the Shenandoah Valley. On September 22, Union soldiers captured a hapless man named Davy Getz near Woodstock who was wearing civilian clothes and . . . — — Map (db m16440) HM
On Meigs Lane 0.1 miles east of John Wayland Highway (Virginia Route 42), on the left when traveling east.
Here on the old Swift Run Gap Road on the evening of October 3, 1864, Union Lt. John Rodgers Meigs was killed in a fight with three Confederate scouts guided by local resident Pvt. Benjamin F. “Frank” Shaver, 1st Virginia Cavalry. Meigs, . . . — — Map (db m15121) HM
On Meigs Lane 0.1 miles east of John Wayland Highway (Virginia Route 42), on the left when traveling east.
The death of Union Lt. John R. Meigs, near the granite marker on the hill in front of you, unleashed a firestorm of retaliation. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, erroneously told that civilian “bushwhackers” had killed Meigs, reported to Gen. . . . — — Map (db m15123) HM
On Bowman Road (Virginia Route 732) at Cemetery Drive, on the left when traveling west on Bowman Road.
The first church in Rockingham County was built on this site in 1747 on land owned by Captain Daniel Harrison of the colonial militia. Serving as a "Chapel of Ease" for Augusta Parish, the first building is believed to have been built of logs. The . . . — — Map (db m32106) HM
On Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
Daniel Harrison settled about 1745 at the headwaters of Cook’s Creek where it is believed he built the stone portion of the present house. During the decades 1750-1770, when this area was the frontier of the colony, the house served the settlers as . . . — — Map (db m16441) HM
On Main Street (Business Virginia Route 42) at Mill Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street.
In memory of Lt. Col. Thomas F. Wildes, 116th Ohio Regiment, who, when ordered by Gen. Sheridan to burn the town of Dayton, Va. in retaliation for the death of a Union officer, refused to obey that order, risking court-martial and disgrace. His . . . — — Map (db m88643) HM
On College Street north of Mill Street, on the left when traveling north.
This plaque designates the former location of Shenandoah College and Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and is dedicated in honor of the community that served the many students, faculty, and staff who passed through its halls. The new campus and . . . — — Map (db m15761) HM
On Meigs Lane 0.1 miles east of John Wayland Highway, on the left when traveling east.
This is the approximate site where Union Lt. John Rodgers Meigs was killed in a fight with three Confederate scouts on October 3, 1864. In retaliation, General Philip H. Sheridan ordered that buildings over a large area, including the town of . . . — — Map (db m15140) HM
On Turners Mill Lane at Breneman Church Road (Virginia Route 778), on the right on Turners Mill Lane.
On October 6, 1864, Union soldiers approached this mill on their march from Harrisonburg to Broadway during “The Burning.” This was U.S. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s two-week campaign to end the Valley’s role as the “Breadbasket of . . . — — Map (db m39329) HM
On Harpine Highway (Virginia Route 42) near Jesse Bennet Way (County Route 859), on the right when traveling north.
Near Edom, Virginia, on January 14, 1794, in a heroic effort to save his wife, Elizabeth, and child, Dr. Jessee Bennett performed the first successful Caesarian section and oophorectomy to be done in America. — — Map (db m30364) HM
On Jesse Bennett Way (Virginia Route 859) 0.2 miles north of Harpine Highway (Virginia Route 42), on the right when traveling north.
This church, built on land donated by John K. Beery was a free union church used by Methodist, Presbyterian, and Lutheran denominations and in 1914 became a Methodist church.
The church building was remodeled in 1917, 1948, and 1950. . . . — — Map (db m158142) HM
On Spotswood Trail (U.S. 33) at Skyline Drive, on the right when traveling east on Spotswood Trail.
In honor of Governor Alexander Spotswood and the Knights of the Horseshoe:
John Fontaine •
Robert Beverley •
William Robertson •
Dr. Robinson Todd •
James Taylor •
Robert Brooke •
George Mason •
Captain Smith •
Jeremiah Clouder
and other . . . — — Map (db m1844) HM
On Spotswood Trail (U.S. 33) at Skyline Drive, on the right when traveling east on Spotswood Trail.
Twelve men I chose to see the waiting land,
Where the rivers are jeweled in sunlight,
And the hills are a deep blue ocean with living spars
Of pine to catch the clouds and spread white sail.
My band, Knights of the Golden Horse Shoe,
. . . — — Map (db m1874) HM
On Skyline Drive, on the left when traveling south.
During the 1930's, CCC Camp NP-3, Company 310, Camp Nira was placed near the abandoned road across the Skyline Drive, 1/4 mile, to the south. — — Map (db m13248) HM
On Stuart Avenue (U.S. 340) 0.1 miles north of Shenandoah Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
"Green Meadows," to the west, was the home of Adam Miller (1703-1783), one of the first Europeans to settle in the valley. The property remained in the Miller (originally Mueller) family from the 1740s through 1936. — — Map (db m12074) HM
On West Rockingham Street near West Spotswood Trail (Business U.S. 33), on the left when traveling west.
1862 & 1864 Valley Campaigns.
This eight-room brick dwelling was built in 1840 for Dr. Simeon B. Jennings, a former resident of Port Republic. At the time of the Civil War, it was one of only half a dozen houses located in the Conrad’s Store . . . — — Map (db m2916) HM
On Spotswood Trail (U.S. 33) at Skyline Drive, on the right when traveling east on Spotswood Trail.
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 . . . — — Map (db m1842) HM
On East Rockingham Street 0.1 miles east of Stuart Avenue / East Side Highway (U.S. 340), on the right when traveling east.
Less than a month after his defeat at Kernstown, Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson retired to the Elk Run Valley to rest his troops and plan for the spring campaign. With his men camped all along Elk Run and into Swift Run Gap, Jackson . . . — — Map (db m2835) HM
On Skyline Drive (at milepost 81.2), on the right when traveling south.
“The most important function of the wilderness for modern man is the opportunity of glimpsing for a moment what harmony really means.” Sigurd Olson, Reflections from the North Country, 1976 The Wilderness Act of 1964 . . . — — Map (db m96878) HM
On Newtown Road (County Route 759) just west of Samuels Road (County Route 638), on the left when traveling east.
The Newtown School, built here in 1921-1922,
served African American students during the
segregation era. Julius Rosenwald, president of
Sears, Roebuck and Co, collaborated with Booker
T. washington in a school-building campaign
beginning in . . . — — Map (db m108889) HM
On Skyline Drive (at milepost 55.6), on the right when traveling south.
“Now shall I walk or shall I ride? Ride, Pleasure said. Walk, Joy replied.” W.H. Davies Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive are the perfect combination of pleasure and joy. Chances are you took a pleasure ride . . . — — Map (db m96235) HM
On Skyline Drive (at milepost 78.1), on the right when traveling south.
A wildfire swept over this mountain in 1986, burning 4,475 acres in seven days. While dramatic, it certainly wasn’t tragic. Fire is nature’s way of cleaning house. It keeps the forest healthy by burning leaf litter, dead wood, and even living . . . — — Map (db m96881) HM
On Skyline Drive, on the left when traveling south.
You are standing next to the Appalachian Trail. Also called the A.T., this footpath stretches more than 2,100 miles across mountaintop and ridge from Maine to Georgia. You can see where the trail enters and exits each end of this overlook. The A.T. . . . — — Map (db m46003) HM
On Skyline Drive, on the right when traveling south.
Rocky Top, the high ridge to your left, Brown Mt., straight ahead and Loft Mt., behind you, enclose an eleven square mile watershed, the largest in the Park.
One inch of rainfall on this area amounts to nearly 200 million gallons. Some of this . . . — — Map (db m46004) HM
During the 1930s, this area was the site of CCC Camp NP-27, which was moved into Shenandoah National Park from Grottoes, Virginia. — — Map (db m46010) HM
On Valley Pike (U.S. 11) north of Lacey Spring Road, on the left when traveling south.
Four miles west, Thomas Lincoln, father of the President, was born about 1778. He was taken to Kentucky by his father about 1781. Beside the road here was Lincoln Inn, long kept by a member of the family. — — Map (db m656) HM
On Spotswood Trail (U.S. 33) at Cross Keys Road (Virginia Route 276) on Spotswood Trail.
Three miles south, on Mill Creek, Jackson’s rearguard, under Ewell, was attacked by Fremont, June 8, 1862. Trimble, of Ewell’s command, counterattacked, driving the Unionists back. Jackson, with the rest of his army, was near Port Republic . . . — — Map (db m3474) HM
On Spotswood Trail (U.S. 33) at Cross Keys Road (Virginia Route 276), on the right when traveling east on Spotswood Trail.
Early in June 1862, Union forces under Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont and Brig. Gen. James Shields pursued Confederate Maj. Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson up the Shenandoah Valley. About three miles south of here, on Mill Creek near the . . . — — Map (db m141622) HM
On North Valley Pike (U.S. 11) south of Martz Road.
Here, at Lacey’s Springs, Rosser’s Confederate cavalry attacked Custer's camp, December 20, 1864. Rosser and Custer (of Indian Fame) had been roommates at West Point. — — Map (db m649) HM
On Fridley's Gap Road (County Route 811) 0.1 miles east of Indian Trail Road (County Route 717), on the right.
Long's Chapel was built in 1870, a year after William and Hannah Carpenter and the Church of the United Brethren in Christ deeded land here "to colored people… for … a church, burial ground, and a school house." Henry Carter, Milton Grant, William . . . — — Map (db m37436) HM
On Rawley Pike (U.S. 33), on the right when traveling east.
(West Side):Rockingham CountyDuring its October 1777 session, the Virginia General Assembly carved Rockingham County out of a large portion of Augusta County. The first court was held on 27 April 1778. Rockingham County was named for . . . — — Map (db m34459) HM
Near North Valley Pike (U.S. 11) 0.2 miles south of Lacey Spring Road.
On the early morning hours of December 21, 1864, part of Union Gen. George A. Custer’s cavalry division was eating breakfast here and preparing to advance when it suddenly came under attack. Custer had bivouacked the night before not expecting any . . . — — Map (db m22982) HM
On Harpine Highway (State Highway 42), on the right when traveling north.
In 1768, John Lincoln moved here with his family from Pennsylvania. His eldest son, Abraham, grandfather of the president, might have remained a Virginian had his friend and distant relative, Daniel Boone not encouraged him to migrate to Kentucky by . . . — — Map (db m15634) HM
On East Side Highway (U.S. 340) at Ore Bank Road / Lynnwood Road (County Route 708) on East Side Highway.
The cross road here roughgly divides the Confederate and Union lines in the battle of June 9, 1862. Jackson attacked Shields, coming southward to join Fremont, but was repulsed. Reinforced by Ewell, Jackson attacked again and drove Shields from the . . . — — Map (db m154643) HM
On Ore Bank Road (County Route 708) near Mapleton Lane (County Route 967).
Port Republic Battlefield Civil War Site—Trail Stop 4. Struggle for the “Coaling”
Federal commander Tyler placed at least 3 artillery pieces on this high part of the “Coaling,” and lined 3 more guns down . . . — — Map (db m2926) HM
On Ore Bank Road (County Route 708) at Mapleton Lane (County Route 967) on Ore Bank Road.
Port Republic Battlefield Civil War Site—Trail Stop 1. Last Battle of Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign.
You are standing on the “Coaling.” By the Civil War this area was nearly devoid of trees, the timber having been . . . — — Map (db m154646) HM
On Ore Bank Road at Mapleton Lane, on the left when traveling east on Ore Bank Road.
Here, June 9, 1862
Gen. T. J. "Stonewall Jackson"
defeated Gen. J. Shield’s vanguard
advancing from Elkton under Gen. R. O. Tyler
Federals engaged, 4500
killed, wounded, and missing, 551, captured, 450
Confederates engaged, 6000 . . . — — Map (db m14346) HM
On East Side Highway South (U.S. 340) 0.4 miles south of Jackson Way (Virginia Route 955), on the right when traveling south.
General Stonewall Jackson, with 6,000 Confederates, attacked James Shields' vanguard of 3,000 under E.B. Tyler, which had marched down Luray Valley to join General J.C. Frémont's army. Jackson's first attack by General C.S. Winder's brigade, . . . — — Map (db m154648) HM
On Mayland Road (Virginia Route 259) at Wampler Road (Virginia Route 619), on the right when traveling east on Mayland Road.
This flagpole is dedicated to: Sgt. Claude Reedy of New Market, VA, who died in a POW Camp in Korea Jan. 1951 and…
And to: Pvt. James "Pete" McKenzie of Quicksburg, VA killed in action . . . — — Map (db m158145) WM
On North Main Street (U.S. 11) at Dinkel Avenue (Virginia Route 257), on the right when traveling south on North Main Street.
Located two miles southwest in the town of Bridgewater, this liberal arts college is affiliated with the Church of the Bretheren. It grew out of the Spring Creek Normal School and Collegiate Institute, founded in 1880, and became Bridgewater College . . . — — Map (db m647) HM
On Main Street 0.1 miles south of Leroy Road, on the left when traveling north.
The crest of the hill was the site of Madison Hall, built in the mid-1700s for John Madison, the first Court Clerk of Augusta County, which originally included this area of Rockingham County within its frontier boundaries. In response to the . . . — — Map (db m14083) HM
The road seen across the river was the original route into the village from the north and west. Early visitors crossed North River by means of a ford, later a ferry, and finally a bridge. After the Civil War, four more bridges were built on . . . — — Map (db m154647) HM
On Water Street 0.1 miles west of Port Republic Road (County Route 659), on the left when traveling west.
Parallel to South River is seen the bed of the lower millrace which brought water power to several village industries. The Galliday Tannery was located on the far left; the Dundore/Downs Tannery on the adjoining property on the right. The Robert . . . — — Map (db m14080) HM
On Water Street south of Main Street, on the left when traveling west.
The Port Republic Foundry was one of the leading industries of the town. Prior to the flood of 1870, a Mr. Holbrook operated a foundry shop where the notched sickle for the original McCormick Reaper was made. Although the original shop washed . . . — — Map (db m88585) HM
On Water Street, on the left when traveling north. Reported missing.
When Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood’s 1716 expedition first laid claim to the Shenandoah Valley, the area had already been used for centuries by Native Americans. The town of port Republic was laid off into lots and chartered by an 1802 act . . . — — Map (db m16634) HM
On The Point Street at Water Street, on the right when traveling north on The Point Street.
Straight ahead is "The Point“ where the North River (Ieft) and the South River (right) meet to form the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Imagine a day in the early 1800s when the river depth was right for traffic. A flotilla of . . . — — Map (db m88584) HM
On Singers Glen Road (Virginia Route 613) 0.1 miles south of Glen School Circle (Virginia Route 889), on the right when traveling south.
March 9, 1777 • Dec. 24, 1862
“Father of song in Northern Virginia”
Teacher, translator, author
Publisher, printer
In 1816 he published “Choral Music”; in 1832 the first edition of “Genuine Church . . . — — Map (db m39334) HM
Near Singer Glen Road (Virginia Route 613) west of Kieffer Road (Virginia Route 876), on the left when traveling west.
This was the only United Brethren Church that the anti-slavery denomination opened within the Confederacy during the Civil War. It was constructed on the northeastern side of Green Hill along Joes Creek northwest of Edom in 1833 as Green Hill . . . — — Map (db m115464) HM
On North Main Street (Virginia Route 42) north of Rockingham Street, on the left when traveling north.
In 1930, after working at the D.W. Wampler store for 24 years, B. Frank Minnich went into business and opened Minnich's Self Service Store at this location, which had served as the Dingledine Drug Store. The business was also known as "The Service . . . — — Map (db m158150) HM
On North Main Street (Virginia Route 42) just south of Garrett Circle, on the right when traveling south.
Constructed in 1884, the Timberville covered bridge was 312 feet in length and 18 feet wide inside. Depending on the story of the lumber for the bridge was either cut in town or just west of Timberville. The stones for the support pier came from . . . — — Map (db m158155) HM
On High Street (County Road T-1504) just north of Church Street (State Route 617), on the right when traveling north.
This stone marks the site of the Third Timberville Community School 1887-1913, Timberville High School 1914-1952 and Timberville Elem. School 1952-1972. 100th Anniversary dedication August 2, 2014
"School days, school days; dear old . . . — — Map (db m158153) HM
On North Main Street (Virginia Route 617) just south of Rockingham Street, on the right when traveling south.
In 1942, the Broadway Town Council erected this Observation tower atop the hill overlooking Rt. 259 just off Broadway Ave. The tower stood on a platform that was about 20 feet above the ground. The site had been selected by the U.S. Army and . . . — — Map (db m158154) HM