Actually the whole tract on which the spring is located is quite historic; the spring is just the only surviving landmark. Local Historian, Paula Felder, told SimplyFredericksburg that located near the old school (someplace to the left and up the hill, if your back is to the springs) was the old gun factory. The gun factory was a large stone structure built in 1775 (ordered by the Virginia Convention Of 1775). Both Charles Dick and Colonel Fielding Lewis were active commissioners of the gunnery. 

After the war, it was commissioned by the state to become the Fredericksburg Academy, which has a very interesting (but still unwritten) history, with a distinguished board of trustees. That lasted only a few years, and then it became a private residence. There is an insurance policy on the building from that period in the early 19th century. In the 1840s, the property was purchased by John L. Knight, a mason, who built a brick residence adjoining the gunnery building and turned it into the town poorhouse. It disappeared from the tax rolls during the Civil War or shortly afterward. 
 

SimplyFredericksburg was interviewed by Prestige Vision Channel 3 (now Adelphia Vision 3) at the Gunnery Springs in 2000. SimplyFredericksburg wants to see this once historic treasure saved. Much controversy has been aired over the spring, from the springs location (back during the civil wars) to its more modern looking concrete and brick facade, which was erected over the spring by the Daughters of the American Revolution in commemoration of early women patriots.

SimplyFredericksburg would like to thank Paula Felder who is considered one of Fredericksburg leading local historians, for assisting us with this feature.