Ferries and Flats
In 1728, the colonial government established Fredericksburg as far upstream on the Rappahannock River as was navigable. Vessels traveling to and from the Chesapeake Bay and beyond could tie up at the docks there. Workers and slaves loaded tobacco and iron during the Colonial period, but wheat exports grew in volume following the American Revolution. The railroad bridge in front of you crosses the Rappahannock River through this once busy commercial area.
Upstream is Falmouth, also founded in 1728. This community sat astride a north-south road that crossed the river at a shallow ford. Falmouth was closer to the river's falls and large, water-powered mills processed iron and agricultural products there, for shipment overseas. Barges called flats, moved goods between these two waterfront towns and ferries crossed back and forth, before bridges linked the two sides of the river.
Marker can be reached from Sophia Street, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
