City of Fredericksburg

Seated on the fall line of the Rappahannock, the City of Fredericksburg has a history richly intertwined with that of the Commonwealth itself. Bridging the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, the settlement of what is now Fredericksburg was part of a westward push by European colonists who, having first settled near the coast, were restless to explore a Virginia frontier that continued to recede westward. The area’s record of human habitation stretches back much further, of course – at the time of English colonization this part of Virginia was occupied by a Siouan-speaking group of indigenous people known as the Manahoac. The English arrived by the 1670s; the land that is now Fredericksburg was patented in 1671 and five years later a fortification was erected just downriver from the present city. Though this area served as a base for pioneering efforts in the late 1600s and early 1700s, it was not until 1728 that a more permanent settlement was established. Taking its name from Frederick, Prince of Wales (and with many streets still bearing the names of members of the royal family), Fredericksburg quickly became a bustling port and the county seat of newly-formed Spotsylvania County (established 1720). Though the seat eventually moved west to the geographic center at modern-day Spotsylvania Courthouse, Fredericksburg continued to grow in size and prominence, incorporating first as a town in 1781 before becoming an independent city nearly a century later in 1879.

During this time, Fredericksburg was witness to some of the defining events in Virginia and the nation’s history. George Washington was closely associated with Fredericksburg, having grown up across the river at Ferry Farm (Stafford County); his mother, Mary, lived in the city for a time. Fredericksburgers were active participants in the American Revolution, and such illustrious Revolutionary-era leaders as naval hero John Paul Jones and future president James Monroe called it home. Industrialization came to Fredericksburg in the 19th century with the continued construction of mills on the Rappahannock, a canal, a plank road, and by 1837 a railroad connecting it with Richmond. The city’s strategic location roughly midway between the Union and Confederate capitals of Washington and Richmond made it a major battleground during the Civil War. Two battles were fought in the city – the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862 and the Second Battle of Fredericksburg in May 1863 – while numerous other engagements including Wilderness, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania Courthouse, and others were fought in the surrounding countryside. The encroachment of Union lines on the opposite bank of the river in Stafford also extended the promise of freedom to many of the region’s enslaved people, a story captured by local resident John Washington, himself a formerly enslaved person who escaped to freedom.

The 20th century remained a period of boom times for Fredericksburg. In 1908, the State Normal and Industrial School for Women was founded primarily to train teachers; in 1938 it reorganized as the women-only University of Mary Washington before become co-ed in 1964. Industry continued to boom during this time, especially with the growth of wartime factories in the 1940s – including the old cellophane plant that is now home to the A. Smith Bowman distillery. Defense and military likewise contributed to the city’s growth, with nearby military installations at Dahlgren, Quantico, and Fort A. P. Hill. It was at a gig in Fredericksburg in 1958 that Shawnee guitarist Link Wray hit upon the distorted power chord that fueled his hit song “Rumble,” in the process introducing the power chord to the rock ‘n’ roll lexicon. Growth continued in the 1960s as the construction of Interstate 95 connected Fredericksburg even more intimately with Washington to the north and Richmond to the south. Today, Fredericksburg is a major transportation hub. With easy highway access and the establishment of commuter rail lines, many people now call Fredericksburg home even as they work in D.C. or Richmond.

Birders will find much to recommend Fredericksburg. Its proximity – and ease of access – to many banner hotspots such as Aquia Landing and Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford; Lake Anna in Spotsylvania and Louisa; and the many great birding spots on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula make it a suitable home base for birding. Those who choose to concentrate their efforts on birding the city itself won’t be disappointed, however. For a small, fairly densely-populated, and highly developed area Fredericksburg still has much in the way of birding opportunities. A major highlight is Old Mill Park, which sits right below the fall line of the Rappahannock. This extensive riparian park has river frontage as well as brushy edge and more intact woods. It is a great spot to visit any time, but especially in migration when transient passerines can be found at the wood edges while swallows, shorebirds, or waterfowl patrol the river (though most of the river itself is in Stafford). Another excellent spot is the Rappahannock Canal Path, a leisurely walking trail downtown that is a great spot to check for migrants; Gayles Pond along the canal path is a great spot to check for Wood Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, and other species that prefer swampier ponds.

For more intact woodlands, consider hiking the Quarry Trail on the north side of the city along the Rappahannock, or perhaps pay a visit to Lee Drive that traverses the Fredericksburg Battlefield. Though occasionally quite busy, Alum Spring Park is another good area of intact woods; its location in the middle of the city sometimes turns it into a bit of a migrant trap. In winter, one of the best spots to check is the series of ponds at Central Park. This bustling shopping center has about five main ponds (with a few smaller satellites) that sometimes host waterfowl, though they can be quite hit or miss. The ponds behind Target are good for gulls and often have Mute Swans, though they can have interesting ducks on occasion. Checking the more secluded ponds behind Kohl’s is always a good idea, as these sometimes have more diversity.

At the time of this writing in March 2023, the City of Fredericksburg has racked up an eBird list of 198 species. Among these are such uncommon migrants as American Bittern, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Connecticut and Cerulean Warblers. Clay-colored Sparrows have been recorded on a few occasions, usually from residential yards. The City has played host to a few truly significant rarities. One of the most striking was a Roseate Spoonbill that lingered at Old Mill Park for several days during intense flooding of the Rappahannock. The river itself has turned up Long-tailed Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose, and most impressively a cooperative Mottled Duck that was the first accessible record for the state (though mostly in Stafford, this bird did occasionally come into the City limits). Rounding out the list of noteworthy waterfowl, the Canal Path had a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck in 2020.

—Matt Anthony

Hotspots