by Steven L. Walker (Author)
The Lower Rappahannock River Fords of Culpeper County is a comprehensive history of the river crossings and the surrounding community. The history begins with the Indians, covers the explorers and settlers, and deals heavily with the Civil War. The fords were guarded and fought over for two years by both the northern and southern armies. The book ends in the early 1900s when the fords were made obsolete by upstream bridges. Now the crossings have reverted back to pristine wilderness settings with faint signs of what once was there. Included in the book are detailed maps identifying the fords, residences, churches, schools, gold mines, and other features that made up the region. Appendices add in-depth detail to the history and the people. Photographs are provided showing historical structures and features. For a region so rich in history, much of it has never been documented, until now.