Fredericksburg, Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fredericksburg, Virginia
Independent city
Historic Downtown Fredericksburg
Flag Seal Coat of arms
Motto(s):  America's Most Historic City
Location of Fredericksburg in Northern Virginia
Fredericksburg in Virginia
Fredericksburg, Virginia Location in Northern Virginia Show map of Northern Virginia Fredericksburg, Virginia Location in Virginia Show map of Virginia Fredericksburg, Virginia Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	None (Independent city since 1879, adjacent to Spotsylvania County)
Founded	1728
Incorporated	1781
Named for	Frederick, Prince of Wales
Area
• Independent city	10.52 sq mi (27.24 km2)
• Land	10.45 sq mi (27.07 km2)
• Water	0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)
Elevation	59 ft (18 m)
Population  (2020)
• Independent city	27,982
• Density	2,659.9/sq mi (1,027.24/km2)
• Urban	167,679 (US: 216th)
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	22401 (USPS designates 5 zip codes for Fredericksburg, but 4 of them lie outside the Independent City in surrounding counties; only 22401 lies inside it)
Area code(s)	540
FIPS code	51-29744
GNIS feature ID	1494947
* Independent from Spotsylvania County in 1879

Fredericksburg is a city in Virginia, United States. It's special because it's an "independent city," meaning it's not part of any county. In 2020, about 28,000 people lived here.

The city is located about 48 miles (77 km) south of Washington, D.C. and 53 miles (85 km) north of Richmond. It sits near the Rappahannock River, which made it an important port during the early days of the American colonies.

Fredericksburg played a big role in the American Civil War. It was right in the middle of the fighting, halfway between the capitals of the North and the South. Two major battles, the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Second Battle of Fredericksburg, happened here. Today, parts of these battlefields are protected as the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. During the Civil War, many enslaved African-Americans found freedom by reaching Union lines here.

Today, tourism is a huge part of Fredericksburg's economy. Around 1.5 million people visit each year to see the battlefields, museums, art shops, and historic places. The city is also home to large shopping areas like Central Park. Many people who live in Fredericksburg travel to work in Washington, D.C., Richmond, and nearby counties.

History of Fredericksburg

Before Europeans arrived, the land where Fredericksburg is now was home to the Manahoac tribe. They spoke a language called Siouan. English colonists called their village Mahaskahod.

Colonial Times

Fredericksburg grew up along the Rappahannock River. This river was important because it was the farthest point boats could travel inland. In 1676, the Virginia General Assembly built a fort nearby. In 1714, Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood helped German settlers create a town called Germanna upstream.

In 1720, Spotsylvania County was formed, named after Governor Spotswood. Fredericksburg became a port for the county in 1728. The town was named after Frederick, Prince of Wales, who was the son of King George II. Its streets were named after members of the royal family.

Fredericksburg was the county seat (the main town for government) until 1780. In 1781, it became its own town with its own government. Later, in 1879, it became an independent city, separate from Spotsylvania County.

The city has strong ties to George Washington, America's first president. His family moved to nearby Ferry Farm when he was young. His mother, Mary Ball Washington, and sister, Betty, later lived in Fredericksburg. Many local people helped during the American Revolution. For example, Fielding Lewis, Washington's brother-in-law, ran a factory that made weapons for the army. Other important early residents included generals Hugh Mercer and George Weedon, naval hero John Paul Jones, and future president James Monroe.

The 1800s and the Civil War

During the 1800s, many mills were built along the Rappahannock River, using the river's power to grind flour and make cotton. To help trade, Fredericksburg built canals and roads. By 1837, a railroad connected the town to Richmond, the state capital.

Fredericksburg was very important during the American Civil War because it was located between Washington, D.C. (the Union capital) and Richmond (the Confederate capital). The town was heavily damaged during the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862.

During that battle, nearly 10,000 enslaved people from the area escaped to freedom by crossing the Rappahannock River to join the Union forces. One of them, John Washington, later wrote about how happy enslaved people were to see the Union troops arrive.

Another battle, the Second Battle of Fredericksburg, happened in May 1863. Other battles, like the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House, were fought nearby in 1864. After the war, Fredericksburg slowly rebuilt and grew.

From the 1900s to Today

In the early 1900s, many African-Americans moved from the South to northern cities for better jobs and opportunities. This was called the Great Migration.

During World War II, the area's population grew because of nearby defense facilities. In the 1960s, the building of Interstate 95 helped the city grow even more, making it easier for people to travel for work. By the 1970s, Fredericksburg became a "bedroom community" for people working in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.

The University of Mary Washington was founded in Fredericksburg in 1908. It was first a school for women to become teachers. In 1970, it started accepting men, and in 2004, it became the University of Mary Washington.

In 1958, musician Link Wray invented the "power chord" of modern rock guitar right here in Fredericksburg! This sound became very popular in rock music.

Today, the city is a regional healthcare center. It has also seen a lot of growth in shopping and real estate. A commuter train line, the Virginia Railway Express, helps people travel to Washington, D.C.

Geography and Climate

Fredericksburg covers about 10.5 square miles (27.2 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. The city is located where two different land regions meet: the Piedmont and Tidewater. This meeting point is called the fall line, which you can see along the Rappahannock River.

The city is bordered by the Rappahannock River to the north and east. Across the river is Stafford County. To the south and west, Fredericksburg is next to Spotsylvania County.

Major roads like US 1, US 17, and I-95 all pass through Fredericksburg. I-95 connects the city to Washington, D.C., to the north and Richmond to the south.

Fredericksburg has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has cool winters and hot, humid summers.

People of Fredericksburg

Population Facts

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

In 2020, Fredericksburg had about 28,000 people. There were about 8,100 households. The city's population was made up of different groups: about 54% White, 21% Black or African American, and 12% Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in the city was 30 years old. About 18% of the population was under 18. The median household income was about $83,445. This means half of the households earned more and half earned less than this amount.

Culture and Fun Activities

Historic Places and Architecture

Fredericksburg Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Location	Roughly bounded by Rappahannock River, Hazel Run, Prince Edward and Canal Sts., Fredericksburg, Virginia
Area	200 acres (81 ha)
NRHP reference No.	71001053
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	September 22, 1971

Fredericksburg Museum

St. George's Episcopal Church in downtown Fredericksburg was established in 1720.

Kenmore Plantation

Fredericksburg has many reminders of its long history. The Fredericksburg Historic District is a special area with over 350 old buildings from the 1700s and 1800s. It includes the Fredericksburg Town Hall and Market Square and the Lewis Store.

Inside this historic area, you can visit four 18th-century sites managed by the "Washington Heritage Museums":

• The Mary Washington House, where George Washington's mother lived.
• The Rising Sun Tavern, an old inn from the late 1700s.
• The Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, an old pharmacy.
• The St. James House (built in 1768), which is open to visitors at certain times.

Other important buildings include the 1852 courthouse and the 1816 town hall, which is now the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center. You can also visit St. George's Church and the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library. This museum is where James Monroe, a future U.S. president, practiced law.

Near the historic district is Kenmore, the plantation home of George Washington's sister, Betty, and her husband, Fielding Lewis.

The Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park protects parts of the Civil War battlefields. The Fredericksburg National Cemetery, also part of the park, is where over 15,000 Union soldiers are buried.

A special "Freedom Trail" marks the path where 10,000 enslaved people crossed the Rappahannock River to gain freedom during the Civil War.

Modern interesting places include the University of Mary Washington campus and Carl's Ice Cream, a cool old ice cream stand. Nearby, you can visit Ferry Farm, where George Washington grew up, and the George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

City Parks

Fredericksburg has several public parks for everyone to enjoy:

• Old Mill Park
• Alum Spring Park
• Hurkamp Park
• Dixon Park

Public Library

The Central Rappahannock Regional Library serves the Fredericksburg area.

Education in Fredericksburg

Monroe Hall, built in 1911, at the University of Mary Washington

Schools for Kids

The Fredericksburg City Public Schools are separate from the schools in the surrounding counties. Here are some of the public schools:

• James Monroe High School
• Walker-Grant Middle School
• Hugh Mercer Elementary School
• Lafayette Elementary School
• Gladys West Elementary School (opening in 2025)

There are also several private schools:

• Fredericksburg Academy
• Fredericksburg Christian School
• Saint Michael the Archangel High School
• Lighthouse Academy

Colleges and Universities

• The University of Mary Washington is a four-year public university located in the city. It was founded in 1908.
• Germanna Community College offers two-year programs and has a campus in Fredericksburg.

Media and News

Fredericksburg's daily newspaper is The Free Lance–Star. It started in 1885 and has been publishing under its current name since 1926. There is also an online news site called The Fredericksburg Free Press, which is a non-profit organization.

You can listen to several radio stations in Fredericksburg and the nearby area. These include stations playing country music, Christian music, classic hits, and news and talk shows.

Sports in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg has its own minor league baseball team, the Fredericksburg Nationals. They play at Virginia Credit Union Stadium.

The University of Mary Washington has its own sports teams, called the Eagles. There are also local sports clubs, like the Fredericksburg FC soccer team and the Rappahannock Rugby Football Club.

Getting Around Fredericksburg

I-95 and US 17 in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg has several main roads and many smaller ones. Interstate 95 is the most important highway, connecting the city to Washington, D.C., and Richmond. U.S. Route 17 also goes through the city. Route 3 is a major road that connects downtown Fredericksburg to large shopping centers.

Many people who live in Fredericksburg travel north to Washington, D.C., for work. The bridge for Route 1 over the Rappahannock River can sometimes get very busy.

You can also travel by train. The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) offers commuter train service to Washington, D.C. Amtrak trains provide longer-distance service both north and south.

The Fredericksburg train station, formerly of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad

Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FRED) is a bus service that helps people get around Fredericksburg and nearby areas.

For air travel, there are four major airports not too far from Fredericksburg: Reagan National and Dulles International Airport in Virginia, Baltimore/Washington International Airport in Maryland, and Richmond International Airport in Virginia.

Famous People from Fredericksburg

People from the 1700s and 1800s

People from the 1900s to Today

Sister Cities

Fredericksburg has "sister city" relationships with several cities around the world. These partnerships help promote cultural exchange and understanding.

Images for kids

• 

  Fredericksburg, Virginia, March 1863. View from across the Rappahannock River.

• 

  The RF&P Subdivision rail bridge over the Rappahannock River in 2017.

• 

  Union Army soldiers in trenches before storming Marye's Heights in May 1863.

• 

  Wounded soldiers being tended at Marye's House in Fredericksburg in May 1864.

• 

  Downtown Fredericksburg.

• 

  James Monroe Museum in Downtown Fredericksburg.

See also

In Spanish: Fredericksburg (Virginia) para niños