Fredericksburg VA Area Information, homes for sale, school information, local shops and more!
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the northern part of Virginia located about 50 miles south of Washington, D.C., and about 58 miles north of Richmond. Fredericksburg sits between 2 major metropolitan areas, one is the capital of the state of Virginia and the other is the capital of our Nation. Fredericksburg is a town that is full of rich history that is frequented by history buffs and others who simply appreciate history. Many building of historic significance still exist and are available for touring.
The city is part of the boundary between the Piedmont and Tidewater regions, and as such is located on the fall line, as evidently seen on the Rappahannock River. US-1, US-17, and I-95 all pass through the city, which is located approximately 50 miles (80 km) from Washington, D.C.
During the Civil War, Fredericksburg gained strategic importance due to its location midway between Washington and Richmond, the opposing capitals of the Union and the Confederacy. During the Battle of Fredericksburg, December 11–15, 1862, the town sustained significant damage from bombardment and looting by the Union forces. A Second Battle of Fredericksburg was fought in and around the town on May 3, 1863, in connection with the Chancellorsville campaign (April 27, 1863 – May 6, 1863). The battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House were fought nearby in May 1864.
Fredericksburg City is bounded on the north and east by the Rappahannock River; across the river is Stafford County; and is bounded on the south and west by Spotsylvania County
After the war, Fredericksburg VA recovered its former position as a center of local trade and slowly grew beyond its prewar boundaries.
The University of Mary Washington was founded here in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women. Adopting the name of Mary Washington College in 1938, the college was for many years associated with the University of Virginia as a women’s liberal arts college. The college became independent of UVA and began to accept men in 1970. Recently, the college changed names from Mary Washington College to The University of Mary Washington.
Today Fredericksburg VA is the commercial hub of a rapidly growing region in north central Virginia. Despite recent decades of suburban growth, reminders of the area’s past abound. A 40-block national historic district embraces the city’s downtown area and contains more than 350 buildings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. Notable homes include Kenmore, home of Washington’s sister Betty, and the Mary Washington House, where his mother spent her final years. Crowds of tourists are drawn to the historic district of Fredericksburg during the summer months.
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