Potomac Footpath - Woodbridge, Virginia - Ancient Traces and Roads on Waymarking.com

This path was originally a footpath used by the Native Americans and then after the colonization of the region, it slowly became what was known as the King's Highway. During the revolution, this line of communication was used as the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route which was key to the success of the United States victory. Today the path still exist in fragments either as roadways or hiking paths, anything else is most likely developed, leaving fragments of its existence behind.

The Old Potomac Path
Originally an indian trail and traversed by early settlers, it later became the first coach and post road between northern and southern colonies, and was called
The Kings Highway
General Washington often stopped here to visit Col. Blackburn, over this way also passed the Colonial and French Officers and troops at the time of the Battle of Yorktown.
This old road extens for about three miles through Rippon Lodge, where it has been preserved by Wade. H. Ellis, present owner of the property.
Marked and Dedicated May 13, 1933, by The Susan Riviere Hetzel Chapter, D.C.
D.A.R.

Nearby Marker:
A Road to Rippon Lodge

Rippon Lodge Historic Site on Blackburn road has a long association with The King's Highway. A segment of the road cut directly through the property when the Blackburn family lived there during the 18th century. The family depended on access to the road for mail delivery. The Blackburns owned horses and carriages for the family's use and traveled the King's Highway for business and pleasure. The road connected urban centers such as Boston, Philadelphia, Alexandria, Dumfries, Richmond and Williamsburg.

Judge Wade Hampton Ellis (born 1865) owned Rippon Lodge from 1924 until he died in 1948. He took a strong interest in preserving the 18th-century King's Highway. Judge Ellis worked with the Daughters of the American Revolution to install a commemorative plaque in 1933. A newspaper notice* for the plaque unveiling described the road:

"...the old King's Highway which runs two miles through the grounds of Rippon Lodge ...This highway, the oldest post road in northern Virginia, used to run from Mount Vernon to Richmond..."

Feature Discription: The trail here has been identified as the site of an original Indian path. Web address for the route: [Web Link] Beginning of the road: unknown Secondary Web Address: Not listed End of the road: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
We ask that if you visit the site, please include a unique picture with your impressions of the location. If possible, and if you are not too shy, please include yourself and your group in the photo. Extra points will be given for your best buffalo imitation or if you are licking something salty.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.