Caroline County Virginia Attractions and Historic Sites

Caroline County Virginia Attractions and Historic Sites

Most attractions in Caroline County are historic sites linked to the Civil War 1864 Overland Campaign of Union General Ulysses S. Grant. There are many historic markers throughout Caroline County citing the movements and delaying actions of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac commanded by George Meade between the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House to the Battle of North Anna (River) before heading east to the Battle of Cold Harbor. We have taken photographs of many attractions and historic sites in Caroline County, and researched many of these historical markers. The pictures are in the following albums:

• Caroline County Among 114 photographs are Moss Neck: Jackson’s Headquarters, Skinker’s Neck, Rappahannock Academy, Lee and Grant at the Battle of North Anna River, Grant’s Operations between the North Anna River and Cold Harbor, Historic Homes in Port Royal, Historic Caroline County Courthouse (c. 1835), and historical marker of Edmund Pendleton’s home.

• Port Royal, Caroline County This album has 32 photographs of historic homes, churches, and municipal buildings of the historic port town of Port Royal. The story of the chase and capture of John Wilkes Booth is told in detail through these pictures.

• Lake Caroline Subdivision There are 10 photographs of Lake Caroline and community amenities.

• Ladysmith Village Subdivision This album has 19 photographs of community amenities, single-family homes and townhouses, Caroline Library (Ladysmith Branch), and Lewis and Clark Elementary School.

• Lake Land’Or Subdivision There are 10 pictures of Lake Heritage and Lake Land’Or and surrounding community amenities.

Caroline County Parks and Recreation operates facilities supporting several youth and adult programs. There are 3 community parks in Caroline County which are listed below:

• Caroline Recreation Park: Behind Caroline County High School at 19127 County Park Road Milford, Virginia 22514.

• Robert Farmer Park: Behind Bowling Green Elementary School at 16221 Richmond Turnpike Bowling Green, Virginia 22427.

A Rappahannock Area YMCA located near the subdivisions of Bridlewood, Caroline Pines, Ladysmith Village, Lake Land’Or, Lake Caroline, Pendleton, and Tanglewood offer residents a complete fitness facility and community center. Business hours for the Caroline Family YMCA are as follows: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday – Friday); 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Saturday); Noon until 5:00 p.m. (Sunday). The following programs are available at the Caroline facility next to Ladysmith Village:

• Aquatics: American Red Cross life guard certification.

• Aqua Fitness: Aquatic fitness classes, aquatic personal training, aqua zumba, swim lessons, water therapy.

• Childcare: Before and after school programs, childcare camps, child watch, parents night out.

• Home Schooling Fitness and Aquatics Programs

• Music and Dance Lessons

• Preschool

The Rappahannock River, Mattaponi River, and Lake Anna (Spotsylvania County) all have public boat launches and offer great opportunities for boating and fishing.

Historical events include the December 1862 Defense of Old Port Royal by Confederate Major General D. H. Hill, and the action of Major General Jubal Early blocking attempts by Union engineers to build a bridge over the Rappahannock River at Skinker’s Neck, present day Four Winds Golf Course. These actions forced Army of the Potomac Commander Ambrose E. Burnside to cross the river at Fredericksburg which led to the attack of Marye’s Heights and a Confederate victory. Caroline County is also known for the farm of Richard H. Garrett, between Port Royal and Bowling Green on current day Highway 301. On April 26, 1865 soldiers of the 5th New York Cavalry cornered John Wilkes Booth in the barn of the Garrett Farm and fatally shot him.

The Clark family included William Clark (1770-1838) of the Lewis & Clark Expedition to the Pacific, and Revolutionary War General George Rogers Clark (1752-1818). George Rogers Clark fought the British in present day Indiana and Illinois capturing three military outposts. This is historically significant as his actions secured the Old Northwest for the new United States. This eventually allowed President Thomas Jefferson to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase, and commission the Corps of Discovery which was led by his younger brother Lewis Clark. William Clark had a distinguished political career including the Governor of the Missouri Territory, and Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Driving across the North Anna River into Caroline County on Jefferson Davis Highway (U. S. Route 1) you begin to pass several historical highway markers starting with ‘Lee and Grant’ (shown above). As Union General Grant pushed Confederate forces southward to Richmond along Telegraph Road (U. S. Route 1) these markers indicate the places of cavalry clashes, artillery strikes, delaying actions, and changes in direction of both armies.

The most unique attraction in Caroline County is the Virginia Sports Complex in Ruther Glen. It is a privately owned baseball and softball tournament destination for travel and showcase baseball. Virginia Sports Complex has 4 baseball and 4 softball fields (professional grade), a 40,000 square feet indoor facility with artificial turf, a recruiting and evaluation observation deck, 6 outdoor and 7 indoor batting cages, weight training center, several concessions and snack bar, and meeting room.

A great farm market is Mount Olympus Berry Farm which is a family owned farm located just south of the Virginia Sports Complex. Mount Olympus Berry Farm has pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, along with fresh vegetables. The garden center offers several varieties of flowers, shrubs, and unique plants. Mount Olympus also provides produce to farmer’s markets in Fairfax County (Annandale, Burke, Herndon, Lorton, McLean and Reston), Prince William County (Dale City), and the Bowling Green community market. Check the website for seasonal vegetables and fruits, farm market calendar of events, and fruit (dessert) and vegetable recipes.

Lake Land’Or is a gated community in Caroline County is located 3 miles west of Interstate 95 exit 110 (Ladysmith) on Route 639 (Ladysmith Road). is almost 2000 acres containing 2 miles of paved roads, and 3 lakes supporting boating, fishing, and recreational activities. There are 13 fishing ponds for resident use. Lake Land’Or is 20 miles south of Fredericksburg, and 25 miles north of Richmond. Community amenities include boat launches, beaches, and pavilions at Lake Land’Or and Heritage Lake. A skeet shooting range, tennis courts, archery range, campground, swimming pools, and several athletic facilities are among many benefits offered to residents at Lake Land’Or.

Lake Caroline is 1 mile south of Ladysmith Road (Route 639) on Jefferson Davis Highway (U. S. Route 1). Lake Caroline is also a gated community with more than 1,000 single family homes on 1,500 wooded acres. Amenities at Lake Caroline include basketball courts, boating (36 m.p.h. speed limit), bocce ball court, campground (featuring 9 large camper spaces with electricity, restrooms and showers), fishing, lakes (Caroline, Ladysmith, Madison), 2 beaches (both have covered pavilions, swim platforms, playgrounds, athletic courts, restrooms, and boat launches), the Lodge (community center for meetings, parties, and special events), pool (25 meters with zero-entry ramp and kids pool), 10 recreation areas (playgrounds, picnic tables, pavilions, boat docks), and 2 tennis courts.

Contact us if buying or selling homes in Caroline County are in your future plans.