Historical Markers and War Memorials in Leesylvania, Virginia
Manassas is the county seat for Prince William County
Leesylvania is in Prince William County
Prince William County(660) ► ADJACENT TO PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY Fairfax County(709) ► Fauquier County(119) ► Loudoun County(345) ► Manassas(93) ► Manassas Park(7) ► Stafford County(213) ► Charles County, Maryland(150) ►
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"A Pacific Paradise on the Potomac," suggests the type of atmosphere that existed at Freestone Point in July, 1957. The S.S. Freestone, a gambling ship, was the main attraction of an exciting new recreational resort. Even though it was illegal to . . . — — Map (db m233924) HM
“At the point of rock,” the translation of the American Indian word Neabsco, describes clearly the high bluff of land in front of you known as Freestone Point. The location of Freestone Point is indicated on maps from the 18th Century and was an . . . — — Map (db m233928) HM
Henry Lee III
"Light Horse Harry"
1756 - 1818
1776 - 1781
Cavalry Commander
1779
Awarded Congressional Medal
1786 - 1788
Member, Continental Congress
1791 - 1794
Governor of Virginia
1799 - 1801
Member, U.S. Congress . . . — — Map (db m237419) HM
This historically important property was part of a land grant dating back to 1658 and was the site of “Leesylvania,” the home of Henry Lee II (1729–1789). The Neabsco Iron Foundry, which was located nearby, furnished “pig iron and shot” to the . . . — — Map (db m237296) HM
In the late 1950s a large scale gambling resort was planned for Freestone Point. The original scheme boasted a luxury hotel, a golf course and country club, marinas, white sand beaches, swimming pools, tennis, and amusement park and more. Much of . . . — — Map (db m233919) HM
A Fight on the Potomac took place here on September 25, 1861. According to Confederate Sgt. Wilmot Walter Curry, his unit was ordered to construct a battery at Freestone Point in order to deflect attention from larger, more permanent batteries . . . — — Map (db m233929) HM WM
The railway line that lies between Neabsco and Powells Creek was completed in 1872 by the Alexandria and Fredericksburg Railroad. This was no easy taks considering the steep terrain, which required numerous deep cuts and fills to maintain a gentle . . . — — Map (db m233907) HM
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After occupying Alexandria for five days, the British withdrew down the Potomac River in early September 1814. To “annoy or destroy” the British ships, Americans established two gun batteries on opposite shores, about six miles . . . — — Map (db m237355) HM
After the Confederate victory at Ball’s Bluff in October 1861, the Union and Confederate armies settled into winter camps between Washington and Richmond. Confederate forces withdrew from Fairfax County to Prince William County and defended a . . . — — Map (db m233910) HM
Nearby are the sites of a fort ordered built in 1679, and of the oldest tomb found in the county, that of Rose Peters—1690. Iron mining was begun here as early as 1784. Remains of a colonial furnace, foundry, and mill have been discovered. . . . — — Map (db m237420) HM
On August 22, 1861, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee issued orders to blockade the Potomac River by building a series of artillery positions that would command the sailing channel. One of these positions was on the grounds of his ancestral home, . . . — — Map (db m233926) HM
This artifact was found buried here. It likely served to help pull boats and or nets from the river as part of the fishing activity that occurred here for over 100 years. — — Map (db m233922) HM
This amphitheater offers visitors and students a starting point for their tour of the Julie J. Metz Wetland bank. The primitive nature of this seating area provides a gathering place for groups visiting the Wetland bank, without disturbing the . . . — — Map (db m233913) HM
Trail Details
Leesylvania State Park lies on a small peninsula on the Potomac, rich with American history. This moderate hike loops through fascinating historical ground, including the Fairfax and Lee family homesteads. The easy-to-follow . . . — — Map (db m233925) HM
Located along the Potomac River between Nebasco and Powells creeks and extending inland to include lands west of U.S. Route 1, this vast tract was patented in 1658 by Gervais Dodson. Henry Lee II (1729-1787) inherited the acreage upon his father’s . . . — — Map (db m237295) HM
This 508-acre park was donated to the Commonwealth in 1978 by Daniel K. Ludwig and was opened on June 17, 1989. The park, whose name means “Lee’s Woods,” is the ancestral home of the famous Lee family of Virginia. The land, which was patented in . . . — — Map (db m233906) HM
This mill wheel was donated by Jesse Baldwin and Lewis Wilkins to Leesylvania State Park. It was originally found in Neabsco Creek west of the Interstate 95 bridge. It most likely came from the Taylor Family Foundry and Mill operations (1730-1830) . . . — — Map (db m233920) HM
Situated along the nearby Neabsco Creek, the Neabsco Iron Works began operation by 1737. Directed by John Tayloe of Richmond County and succeeding family members, the ironworks evolved into a multifaceted antebellum industrial plantation, which . . . — — Map (db m233915) HM
Wealthy planter John Tayloe founded Neabsco Ironworks near here in 1747. Within five years, Neabsco was producing 600 tons of pig iron yearly, dominating a 9,000-acre tract of land bounded by the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers. In pre-revolutionary . . . — — Map (db m233914) HM
These two bioretention cells, completed by volunteers in June 2005, are designed to filter run-off from the parking lot, thereby decreasing the pollution entering the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. The drawing below shows how a bioretention cell . . . — — Map (db m233918)
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 . . . — — Map (db m233909) HM
Seasonal Encampments for river fishing were set up at this place the Native Americans called Yosocomico, meaning “within the enclosure”. These temporary villages were situated on the shoreline at good fishing spots that the Indians returned to year . . . — — Map (db m233917) HM
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Swimming in Bounty
When John Smith and his crew reached the Potomac River in July 1608, they were amazed by the abundance of fish, having seen “neither better fish, more plenty, nor more variety” anywhere.
Virginia . . . — — Map (db m233923) HM
The Freestone Fisheries played an important role in Leesylvania’s past. Their successful operation, given the plentiful numbers of fish in the Potomac, provided a significant income to the successive proprietors of the Leesylvania estate. The Lee . . . — — Map (db m233921) HM
The Freestone Point Hunt Club was established in 1926 by a group of businessmen from New York. The large waterfowl populations found along the Potomac, and the proximity of the railroad made Freestone Point both attractive and accessible to hunters . . . — — Map (db m233927) HM
The Lee and Fairfax Family Cemetery is located on this ridge top overlooking the Occoquan Bay. The Lees established the cemetery with the death of Henry Lee II on August 15, 1787. His wife Lucy Lee, the only other member of the Lee family to be . . . — — Map (db m237354) HM
This is the burial site of Henry Lee (d. 1787) and his wife Lucy Grymes (d. 1792). They were married in 1753, and their home, Leesylvania, stood on the ridge to the east. Henry Lee was County Lieutenant and Presiding Justice of Prince William County . . . — — Map (db m233908) HM
(left panel)During the War of 1812 the young United States was embroiled in conflict with Great Britain. From 1812 to 1815 Americans fought to protect their rights and economic independence. They faced superior enemy forces . . . — — Map (db m233911) HM
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During the War of 1812 the young United States was embroiled in conflict with Great Britain. From 1812 to 1815 Americans fought to protect their rights and economic independence. They faced superior enemy forces on the . . . — — Map (db m237353) HM
