King's Highway - Prince William County VA - Wagon Roads and Trails on Waymarking.com

The first intercolonial highway through America connected the colonies from Massachusetts to South Carolina during the 17th and 18th centuries. The King's Highway, named for King Charles II, started in Boston, MA which opened in 1673 and by 1735, it extended south to Charles Town, SC, opening communication between ten colonies. It was a major wagon, stagecoach, and postal route.

The section of the King's Highway that ran through Virginia was also known as the Potomac Path and much of it followed an old Indian road between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers. During the Revolutionary War, Gen. George Washington and Gen. Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau used the Potomac Path to march to Yorktown where they won independence for America. Federal and Confederate armies also used the road during various campaigns of the Civil War.

Today, much of Rt. 1 and I-95 loosely follow the old Potomac Path or King's Highway through VA. A few portions of the old wagon road are preserved or commemorated including a section that ran through Prince William County marked by historical markers at the Marine Corps Heritage Center in Triangle. The posted GPS coordinates point to the Potomac Path marker. A nearby Road to Yorktown marker is found at:

• N 38° 32.779' W 077° 20.499'

. Both markers are a part of The King's Highway series.

References:

• The King's Highway
• Historic Perspectives (see pg. 3)
• Prince William Historical Guide
• Onsite Information

Road of Trail Name: King's Highway/Potomac Path State: VA County: Prince William Historical Significance: First major route in America. (See long description for more details.) Years in use: 200+ How you discovered it: I was visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps at the Marine Corps Heritage Center where the markers are located. Website Explination: See long description. Why?: Major north-south wagon, stage, and postal route. (See long description for more details.) Directions: The Marine Corps Heritage Center is located in the town of Triangle, VA just off I-95, 36 miles south of Washington, D.C., and 76 miles north of Richmond, VA. From I-95 heading south, take Exit 150A to Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway); turn right (south) onto Route 1; travel approximately ¼ mile; the entrance is on the right. From I-95 heading north, take Exit 150 (Jefferson Davis Highway); turn right (south) onto Route 1; travel approximately ¼ mile; the entrance is on the right. Book on Wagon Road or Trial: Not listed

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