Castlemans Ferry, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Castlemans Ferry, Virginia
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 Castlemans Ferry, Virginia
Location in Northern Virginia
Castlemans Ferry, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Castlemans Ferry, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| County |  Clarke |
| Elevation | 423 ft (129 m) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1690556 |
Castlemans Ferry is a small, unnamed community in Clarke County, Virginia. It's located right on the Shenandoah River. A main road, State Route 7, crosses the river here using the Castlemans Ferry Bridge. This area is known for its interesting history.
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A Look Back: Castlemans Ferry History
Castlemans Ferry has a long and fascinating past. It's named after the Castleman family, who were early settlers in this part of Virginia.
The Castleman Family Arrives
The story of Castlemans Ferry begins with David D. Casselman. He was born around 1734 near Albany, New York. In the 1750s, his family moved to what was then Hampshire County, Virginia. David's father, Andreas, and his older brother, William, received special land grants from Lord Fairfax. These grants were official papers that gave them ownership of land. On these papers, their family name was written as "Castleman," and it stuck!
Around 1756, David Castleman married Margaret Johnson. Her family had connections to the Hampton family, which is where the city of Hampton, Virginia gets its name. In 1762, David and Margaret bought a farm called "Head Spring." They lived there for ten years.
Then, in 1772, they made a very special purchase. They bought "Glen Owen" Farm from none other than George Washington and his wife! This farm was located in what is now Clarke County, Virginia. It was about three miles east of Berryville, right on the west bank of the Shenandoah River. Today, this area is part of the "Historic Scenic Highway" State Route 7.
From Ferry to Bridge
David Castleman's son, David Jr., played a big role in the community's name. He used to run a ferry service across the Shenandoah River. A ferry is a boat that carries people and vehicles from one side of a river to the other. It was a very important way to travel before bridges were common. Eventually, a bridge was built to replace the ferry. This bridge was officially named the "Castlemans Ferry Bridge" in honor of the family and their ferry service.
Castlemans Ferry During the Civil War
Castlemans Ferry was also an important location during the American Civil War. In 1864, it was the site of a major battle called the Battle of Cool Spring. This battle involved soldiers fighting fiercely in the area.
The community also saw many smaller fights, known as skirmishes. These often involved cavalry (soldiers on horseback). Famous groups like Mosby's Rangers, who were Confederate soldiers known for their surprise attacks, often fought against Union cavalry and infantry (foot soldiers) in this area. These events show how important Castlemans Ferry was during this time in history.
