Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg, city, administratively independent of, but located in, Spotsylvania county, northeastern Virginia, U.S., at the head of navigation of the Rappahannock River. The site, settled in 1671, was laid out in 1727 and named for Prince Frederick Louis, father of King George III of England. It developed as a port with a busy English trade (mostly of tobacco and iron products). William Paul, brother of American naval hero John Paul Jones, set up the first tailor shop there. In 1732 George Washington’s father, who owned Ferry Farm across the Rappahannock (where according to tradition George cut down the cherry tree), bought three lots in the town and became one of its trustees.

Guns were manufactured in Fredericksburg for the American Revolution. Strategically situated midway between Washington and Richmond, it was a major objective of both sides during the American Civil War and changed hands seven times. A bloody battle was fought there on December 13, 1862. Before the war ended, three other major engagements were fought in the area—those of Chancellorsville (April 27–May 6, 1863); the Wilderness (May 5–6, 1864); and Spotsylvania Courthouse (May 8–21, 1864). Parts of the four battlefields, a national cemetery with graves of 17,000 Union soldiers, and a museum are included in the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. The park, covering 12.5 square miles (32.4 square km), was established in 1927. A 7-mile (11-km) looped hiking path connects the prominent sites in the park.

The city serves an agricultural region (dairy and beef cattle) and has light manufacturing. It is the seat of the University of Mary Washington (1908) and Germanna Community College (1970). Historic sites include the home and grave of Washington’s mother (Mary Ball Washington), the law office of James Monroe (later president), the Rising Sun Tavern (c. 1760), built by Washington’s youngest brother Charles, and the apothecary shop of Hugh Mercer, Washington’s friend. George Washington Birthplace National Monument is 38 miles (61 km) east, with James Monroe’s birthplace also close by. Inc. town, 1781; city, 1879. Pop. (2000) 19,279; (2010) 24,286.