Evening star., 1923-10-21
T|DEWATER TRAIL
RICH IN MEMORIES
Road From Capital to Nor
folk Traverses Scenes of
Early History.

Motorists have found the Tidewater
trail a surprisingly alluring trip out
OF Washington into colonial Virginia
It's an easy days journey over salts
factory roads. making a good week
cnd' outing or vacation in this river
front country. Those who hit the
trail" may prefer TO complete the tour
as far as Norfolk, enjoying a visit TO
Virginia Beach on the seashore.
En- route the tourist leaving Wash
ington Will pass through Alexandria,
Fredericksburg, Tappahannock, York
town, Williamsburg, Newport News.
and Fort Monroe. You realize that
you are IN a land of beautiful
natural scenery, intersected by large
rivers and smaller streams. The soil
varies from sand clay and gravel into
Sloping hillsides and rich meadow
country.
Before the trip has been completed
The passerby has learned the byways
of Americas richest historical relics
in the old south. where there Is
always welcome for the stranger, hos
pitality and courteous attention of his
comfort.
From Fort 9Iyer q run Of fifty-eight
miles is an interesting trip to Fred
ericksburg, a quaint pre-reVolution-
try town, founded in 1919. Overlook
ing the Rappahannock river today,
The town enjoys modern trade and
traffic and offers first class hotel ac-
rommodations should the motorist
choose to tarry and visit the honored
historic sites, such as the home of
Mary, the mother of Washington; the
I'D Meditation rock" where devout-
edly she prayed for the safety Of her
son and his brave soldiers during the
evolutionary war. Here, too, We're
the homes of famous men in American
history, among them John Paul Jones.
The old Fredericksburg Masonic
Lodge is probably visited by every
potentate, for November 4, 1852,
George Washington was made MEM
Der of the Virginia lodge. His old
farm was across the river IN West
lnoreland county.
Visit to Tappnhannock.
Tappahannock Is the next impor-
tant junction of the road guide. IT
is the center for Essex county, rather
a country township. The courthouse
q typical of all eastern or tidewater
counties built in colonial days. Its
tiail has no occupants. The lone
monument bears record that the old
county contributed her brave men in
the civil war. Should the tourist
party linger to enjoy q. meal at any
ono of the several country -house no.
tells. there will remain a recollection
II a genuine Virginia frienu, with old
time variety in abundance.
''On to Gloucester" becomes the
slogan for the Tidewater trail from
here on. Gloucester is ninety eight
section of farm country many proml-
uent and nationally known business
men and citizens are present-day resi-
dents. Beautiful, large plantations
leeds from royal grant lands.
White Marsh farm, once owned by
The Tabb family, is in possession to-
day Of II. \. Baruch of New York,
brother of Barney Baruch.
property, is now owned by Mrs. Will
liam DeWolf Demock It's former
owner was Thomas Dixon, author and
playwright So enthusiastic was Mr..
Dixon's appreciation for this prini-
that "In the Land Worth Living" was
written here and became widely
known in this end of the trail.
Havoc OF Wars.
Old Abingdon Church. erected in
1856, Is a handsome colonial struc-
ture. and in it's building glazed alter
rate bricks were ID. The old bury
ing ground surrounds the church and
the trim brick wall has been restored
in late years.
Yorktown, famous for the final VIC
tory of October 19, 1881, when Corn
wallis surrendered to Washington,
thus ending British hostilities In the
colonies. is perhaps Americas most
famous historical site. The havoc of
wars have left the old town Of York q
place of remote and intrinsic worth.
little changed by growth and new
world progress.
The Congressional monument at
yorktown, erected at q cost of $780,
900, was the nations gift and is
Teputed to be the handsomeSt monu-
ment in the world. Overlooking the
majestic York river from a promi-
nent bluff this marble shaft and its
thirteen figures symbolic the joy of
victory when on the old Yorktown
battlefield American independence
was sounded around the world. The
old custom house was the first TO be
established in America and several
fine old colonial mansions are the
towns show places to the tourist.
one OF those homes is known as the
Nelson house. The cannon ball
lodged In the wall carries the story
of Gen. Thomas Nelson's patriotism.
Jiecause CORVALLIS and his officers
occupied his home as headquarters
he Virginia governor and general
ordered his troops not to spare his
property 60 long as Il was occupied
by his country's enemies. Within
recent years George T. Blow OF
Illinois purchased the property, re-
stored this mansion and its beautiful