In Spotsylvania County, traces of different chapters of history meet hiking trails, landscapes, and local places to enjoy food and drink. The Catharine Furnace Ruins bear witness to ironworks that operated in the 1830s and 1840s. Ellwood, a former slave plantation in the Wilderness Battlefield, offers a different historical perspective. Churches, battlefields, and museums continue these discoveries, each with its own stories and themes.
History in Specific Places
Christ Episcopal Church served as a hospital during the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse; the building still bears damage from shelling. Old Berea Christian Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the First Day of Chancellorsville Battlefield, informational signs help orient visitors, and a network of recreational trails crosses the site. Historical context and trails for exploring take different forms here.
The contributions of African American residents to the county’s history are also explored at local sites. The African American Heritage Trail is a self-guided, 75-mile driving tour with twelve stops in Spotsylvania County. At the John J. Wright Museum, learn about John J. Wright’s influence on the education of local students, as well as the contributions of African American citizens to the county’s history, growth, and development. The route and the museum offer different perspectives: one leads to several stops, while the other focuses, among other things, on education and local contributions.
On Foot, on Rails, and Outdoors
The Federal Line Trail is a 7.2-mile (11.6-kilometer) loop along the Union line, where preserved earthworks and artillery positions can be found. At Bloody Angle, several trails wind around the monuments and into Bloody Angle. When planning, it is also useful to note the difference between the details provided: the Federal Line Trail’s loop length is specified, while the ride on the open-air Little Yellow Train is described by its duration.
The Rappahannock Railroad Museum displays historic railroad artifacts and train exhibits in two outbuildings. It also offers a 45-minute ride on the open-air Little Yellow Train, which travels one mile to the RF&P main line. The options vary across the parks. Loriella Park has walking trails, including a 2.9-mile trail, as well as an 18-hole disc golf course. Arritt Park is in southern Spotsylvania County and covers 26.5 acres of deciduous and pine forests, along with a marshy pond.
At the Ni River Recreational Area, facilities include boat rentals and a picnic shelter, as well as access to about 410 acres of water. Operations are seasonal. You can choose from different kinds of outdoor activities during your stay: walking and hiking trails, disc golf, or a visit to the water—though the locations do not all offer the same activities.
Wine, Tastings, and Local Places
The Spotsylvania Wine Trail connects five wine-tour stops throughout the county. Participating businesses may change. At Lake Anna Winery, vineyards cover a 76-acre property; the tasting room offers 13 wines and information about the winemaking process. Wilderness Run Vineyards is a historic agricultural winery whose wines are made from its own grapes. Farmhouse Ale is served on-site at 1781 Brewing Company.
A. Smith Bowman Distillery has been based in a historic complex in the county since 1988 and offers free tours and tastings. Check tour availability before your trip. Together, these places offer different insights into growing grapes, making wine, and producing other beverages locally; the Wine Trail provides a countywide framework for visiting them.
Planning Your Trip
Spotsylvania County is located directly off Interstate 95, about halfway between Richmond and Washington, D.C. This location provides a regional point of reference for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, Tazewell, Manassas, Giles County, Loudoun, Lancaster County, Russell
For the main travel overview: Virginia.
