Early Stone Highway Markers

Halifax County's Early Stone Highway Markers

"A 1738 Virginia law required all crossroads be marked by directional posts. Most of those signs were made of wood and have not survived.

However, some roads in Virginia featured more permanent markers including directional signs and mileposts made of stone.

This practice continued until around the 1920s when standardized highway signs began to appear."

Stone Highway Marker at McKindsie Church

At McKindree Church

“LEFT TO / COLES FERRY / 17 MLS. / RIGHT TO / THE COUR / THOUSE / 8 MLS / 1828

The other, an undated, shorter irregular stone located across the road, stands approximately 40 inches above ground level and bears the inscription
“RIGHT TO / PANELS 22 MILE / LEFT TO / MEADS VILL / 2 MLS.”

High Rock Road Marker

Near Street/Road: Route 770 (in yard of house on east side of Route 770, 0.2 mile north of intersection with Route 676), at High Rock

Not within ROW (right-of-way); was moved but now reset in original location

Date: 1826

Above Ground Dimensions (Irregular Stone):

Height: ~41 inches

Width: ~8½ to 10 inches

Depth: ~7 to 8 inches

Inscription (Carved on Stone):

“_0 / MEDS / VILL / 7 MILES / IF 1826”

[on other side} “_0 / VAN / BRD / 67 M”

Notes:
Years ago, this stone was taken from its original site and used as a flue rock in a local tobacco barn; it was returned to what is reportedly its original location: at the corner of what is now Route 770 (High Rock Trail) and a private ROW; the private ROW was formerly a county road. The stone is located approximately 50 feet from the centerline of the present road. The stone is not within the existing 50-foot ROW. A neighboring landowner reported that it is now protected by a deed easement that requires it to be kept in place.

(Personal communications, R. G. D. Pottage III, March 2001; Joseph D. Barkley II and Steven D. Meadows [of VD OT’s Halifax Residency], January 2004.) Halifax County Road Stone

" Road stones are rare in Virginia and those in their original locations are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Statewide, more than 20 early road stones have been identified in the state right of way."

In Halifax County these are the ones that have been identified:

• Halifax County Road Stone: 1826; originally located at the intersection of Route 642 and road trace from McKendree Church; later moved to the yard of a house off Route 501 near Halifax Court House.

• Halifax County Road Stone: 1820s; Town of Crystal Hill, Route 626 (formerly part of Coles Ferry Road).

• Halifax County Road Stone: 1826; Town of High Rock, Route 770 (in yard of house on east side of Route 770, 0.2 mile north of the intersection with Route 676).

• Halifax County Road Stone: date unknown; original location unknown; now moved to the yard of a house off Route 832.

• Halifax County Road Stone (McKendree Church Stone 1): 1828; Route 643 (on the south side of Route 643, 75 feet west of the intersection with Route 814), at McKendree Church.

• Halifax County Road Stone (McKendree Church Stone 2): date unknown; Route 643 (on the north side of Route 643, 98 feet west of the intersection with Route 814),at McKendree Church.

Six sign rocks, several with extensive inscriptions, were identified in Halifax County. The two best known are the stones on Route 643 at McKendree Church. They are both in their original location.

Halifax County sign rocks include the stone on Route 626 (formerly part of Coles Ferry Road), standing 24 inches above the ground level, but with the inscription no longer legible.

Three other sign rocks, also with lengthy inscriptions, were moved and are now on private property . The original locations of two of these stones are known (and one reportedly was returned to and reset in its original site). The original location of the third stone is unknown.

Refs. VDOT Report, June 2009

A History of Roads in Virginia