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Colonial Fort (Historical Marker)

GPS Coordinates: 38.7794573, -77.0518847
Closest Address: 6401 George Washington Memorial Parkway, Alexandria, VA 22307

Colonial Fort (Historical Marker)

Here follows the inscription written on this roadside historical marker:

Colonial Fort
Nearby at John Mathew’s land on Hunting Creek, Governor William Berkeley constructed a fort authorized by the Virginia House of Burgesses on 21 Sept. 1674. Militiamen from Lancaster, Middlesex and Northumberland Counties garrisoned the fort under command of Capt. Peter Knight. The fort defended the northern frontier of the colony against the Susquehannocks and other Indian groups. Berkeley planned for it and other forts to serve as buffers and thereby enable the English and the Indians to coexist peacefully. Some colonists, especially those led by Nathaniel Bacon, favored a more aggressive approach. As a result, Bacon’s Rebellion erupted in 1675–1676.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-70.)

More about this marker. This marker replaced the original marker numbered E-70 with the same name that stood on Route 1 near Fort Hunt Road. That marker read Here on Hunting Creek, Governor Berkeley in 1676, built a fort for defense against the Susquehannock Indians in the troubles that led to Bacon's Rebellion.

This marker is in the park, facing the Potomac River. Marker can be reached from George Washington Memorial Parkway (at milepost 7), on the right when traveling north. Located in the first parking lot of Belle Haven Park. Exit parkway on unnamed road to Belle Haven Marina and then take left turn into parking areas.

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Award-winning local historian and tour guide in Franconia and the greater Alexandria area of Virginia.

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ADDRESS

Nathaniel Lee

c/o Franconia Museum

6121 Franconia Road

Alexandria, VA 22310

franconiahistory@gmail.com

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