Rappahannock County/Culpeper County

Culpeper County Formed from Orange County in 1749, Culpeper County originally included present-day Culpeper, Madison, and Rappahannock Counties. George Washington was appointed the first surveyor of the county in 1749 at the age of 17. The legendary Culpeper Minute Men battalion was formed here in 1775 at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. A number of Civil War battles and engagements took place here, including the Battle of Cedar Mountain on 9 Aug. 1862 and the Battle of Brandy Station on 9 June 1863. The county seat is Culpeper. Reverse: Rappahannock County Scenically situated along the Blue Ridge Mountains, Rappahannock County was formed from Culpeper County in 1833 and has an area of 267 square miles. It was named for the Rappahannock River, which forms its northern border. The Rappahannock River received its name from the Indian tribe that lived along its banks east of the fall line. The county seat is Washington. Malcolm F. Crawford, one of the builders of the University of Virginia, constructed the Roman Revival courthouse there in 1833.

Department of Historic Resources, 2021