The Lower Rappahannock River Fords of Culpeper County

Author: Steven L. Walker

ISBN 978-1-60264-617-9 (softcover)

146 pages

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.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After obtaining a Master's degree in the Environmental Field and working in water pollution control for 20 years, Steven Walker purchased a campground and a canoe rental business on the Rappahannock River in Culpeper County, Virginia. The campground is located at one of the fords that the book is centered around. At that time Mr. Walker went back to college and obtained a Degree in American Studies from Mary Washington College. He graduated with distinction and went to work at the Museum of Culpeper History as a researcher, tour guide and cataloger. At that time he recognized that the history of the Rappahannock River and its fords had never been very well documented. The Lower Rappahannock River Fords is first in a series of books that he will be publishing regarding the river crossings in Culpeper County.