Historical Markers in
Augusta County, Virginia

Augusta County Training School Augusta Military Academy Augusta Military Academy Augusta Military Academy Museum Augusta Stone Church Augusta Stone Church Avenue of Trees Battle of Piedmont Battle of Piedmont Bethel Church Beyer Print of Staunton Colonel George Moffett Crop Protection from Predators Dwight D. Eisenhower Visits Augusta Military Academy Everyday Hard Work - Year Round Fort Edward Johnson Future Farmers of America George Caleb Bingham Glebe Burying Ground Grandma Moses in Augusta County Healing the Wounds Highland County / Augusta County Jackson's Valley Campaign James Edward Hanger Jarman’s Gap John Colter Last Indian Clash Middlebrook Historic District Mossy Creek Mount Pleasant Mount Tabor Lutheran Church Mountain Farms: A Way of Life Mountain House New Providence Church Old Providence Church Park-to-Park Beauty Piedmont Battlefield Quarles Walk Roanoke College Rockfish Gap Rockingham County / Augusta County Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church Staunton Historic Districts Stokesville Stone Fences Subsistence and Survival The Mountain Economy The Rev. John Craig This 1886 Bell Tinkling Spring Church Tiny Creatures Of The Dark Virginia Institute Walnut Grove Welcome to Shenandoah National Park West Side Features Then & Now West Trailhead West View Willow Spout Woodrow Wilson General Hospital Woodrow Wilson General Hospital Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center “It was cold business…” “We had a hardscrabble up…” “Wee are faring badly…” “Wee are now looking out for a fight…” “… to go wee did not know where”
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, is located in Arlington, Virginia.
Virginia random facts
Augusta County, located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early 18th century. Established in 1738, it was one of the original counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The region was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Siouan-speaking Monacan people, before European settlers arrived.

During the colonial era, Augusta County was at the forefront of westward expansion. It served as a gateway for settlers moving westward across the Appalachian Mountains into the Ohio Valley and beyond. The county played a significant role in shaping the American frontier, as numerous pioneers, including Daniel Boone, began their journeys from Augusta County to explore and settle new lands.

The county also witnessed the hardships and turmoil of the American Revolution. Many Augusta County residents actively participated in the war, with local militias assisting in the defense of their communities. The Battle of Lexington, one of the first battles of the Revolution, occurred in what is now Rockbridge County but was part of Augusta County at the time.

In the decades that followed, Augusta County continued to grow and evolve. It became a major agricultural center, with farming and livestock production being the primary economic activities. The construction of transportation infrastructure, such as the Valley Turnpike (now U.S. Route 11), further facilitated trade and the movement of people.

Today, Augusta County remains a vibrant and thriving community, blending its historical roots with modern developments. It is known for its scenic beauty, rich cultural heritage, and agricultural traditions. The county is home to diverse industries, including farming, manufacturing, and tourism, attracting visitors from far and wide to explore its historical sites, natural wonders, and charming small towns.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Augusta County, Virginia.

  • 1738 - Augusta County is formed from Orange County.
  • 1745 - Court held at Staunton for the first time.
  • 1754 - Fort Dinwiddie built to protect settlers during the French and Indian War.
  • 1777 - The town of Waynesboro is established.
  • 1784 - Augusta Academy, later known as Washington College and now Washington and Lee University, is founded in Lexington.
  • 1790 - Augusta County's population reaches over 17,000.
  • 1834 - Railroad reaches Staunton, bringing economic growth.
  • 1861-1865 - Augusta County is heavily impacted during the American Civil War.
  • 1883 - Western State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital, opens in Staunton.
  • 1890 - First hydroelectric power station in the world is opened at the Augusta County town of Millboro Springs.
  • 1927 - The Natural Bridge is designated as a National Historic Landmark.
  • 1962 - Blue Ridge Community College is established in Weyers Cave.