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King George County - "Gateway to the Northern Neck"

King George County, named for King George I of England, was formed in 1720 from Richmond County. The boundaries were from Richmond County to Fauquier County. At that time, King George County had no contact with the Potomac River until the boundaries were changed in 1776. These boundaries ran from Westmoreland to Stafford.

Ferry Farm was in King George where George Washington lived for about 10 years. It was here where Parson Weems told that George said to his father “I shall not tell a lie, I cut down your cherry tree.”

James Madison was born at Port Conway on March 5, 1751. James Madison was the “Father of the Constitution” and the fourth President of the United States.

Long before these notable people lived in King George, the Dogue Indians were on the north side of the Rappahannock near the entrance of Dogue Creek.  Cuttatawomen were at Lamb’s Creek on the Rappahannock River. The Potowmack Indians were near the Stafford and King George boundary and used the Friendly Cottage area as a camping ground for the Indians.

Many other points of interest in King George are Boyd’s Hole, a colonial shipping point, Stuart’s Wharf, Smith’s Wharf, and Wilmont Wharf, where bricks were once made and shipped. Nanzatico was built about 1770; St. Paul’s Church built around 1776; Litchfield was in 1802. Lamb’s Creek, which was built in 1770 was used as a Union stable in 1864, Rokeby built in 1837 was used as Union headquarters in 1862 for Gen. Ambrose Burnside. Cedar Grove was built about 1840 by Dr. Richard Stuart. Sometime in 1785, the courthouse site was moved to its present site where a courthouse, clerk’s office and jail were built. That courthouse lasted until 1922. In July 1922, E. G. Heflin was contracted to build the present courthouse for $12,933.

Navy Proving Ground

In 1918 a Navy Proving Ground was started and called Dahlgren, after John A. Dahlgren, the “Father of Naval Ordnance.” It has been the county’s largest employer. NSWC Dahlgren has played a big part in our nation’s defense.

Crossing the Potomac

In December 1940, the Potomac River Bridge opened. Attending at the ribbon cutting ceremony was President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Maryland Governor Herbert O’Conor. Just as they were to cut the ribbon, a J-3 Piper Cub flew under the bridge. That plane was piloted by Roland “Blue” Burgess and Walter B. Mason of King George. This action added to the excitement of the bridge opening. Over 250 years later at the same location of Mr. Hooe’s ferry the Potomac River Bridge is the Gateway to the North and South.

Web Links to King George County

King George County Government:    www.king-george.va.us

King George County:     www.rootsweb.com/~vakingge/kinggeo.htm