Off
The Beaten Path The
online source of what to see in Fredericksburg
Every few months, SimplyFredericksburg
will take you on a journey to places that most
people visiting (and many residing in) Fredericksburg don't get to see.
These are places that are "Off The Beaten Path". There are many great sites
to see in the area that are just not highly advertised or publicized. So
sit back and take a short trip "Off the beaten path".
We will, (in most cases), provide you with
photos and a brief description of each location. As always, we encourage
you and others to see these sites in person. We do not try to replace an
actual visit.
Lauck's Island
Volume #2
The
Tour The 87 acre island, (approx.
50 plus acres of the island has never been flooded) has a history recorded
back to the days of John Smith (The island was first plotted on a map by
Capt. John Smith in 1608). The current owner of the island Dr. Wheeler,
has owned the property for 19 years, notes that the vegetation on the island
has not been cut for the past 60 years. Every year, the Friends
of the Rappahannock (F.O.R.) and Dr. Wheeler, schedule a tour of the
island. This tour includes a short raft ride across the river to the island,
about 2 hours of touring old buildings then around to the far side of the
island. Once on the far side of the island (side facing Stafford County)
a delightful picnic lunch (provided by F.O.R.) on the beach is planned.
After a long, relaxing rest
on the beach, the tour concludes with a short cross country jaunt to the
starting point for the raft ride back.
If you're into nature, history,
plants and wild animals, then this is a tour you will definitely be interested
in. Contact F.O.R. for more
information. You might not want to put the tour off for another year, mother
nature, time and vandals are rapidly destroying the ruins.
History The first person to own
the island was Thomas, Lord of Culpeper in 1677. Thomas only owned the
island for a little more than a year when Thomas
Vickar's purchased the island. Around 1720, Francis Thornton obtained possession
of the island. The island changed hands many times over the next few years
from Vickars, Vicars, Dixon and Mortimer. Recorded history, (as far back
as the early 1800's) shows that the Island was owned by William Winchester
who sold the island to Joshua Howe around 1806. Several other individuals
owned the island, (including Welford and England) until around 1855 when
Sidney Owens bought the island. Owens was married to Jane Elizabeth Beck
which is how the island came to be known as Beck's island. Around 1877
Charles E. Hunter, probably the most noted person to live on the island,
took possession of the island. Hunter, who owned the Hunter Iron works
up the river, owned the island before
the Laucks'. Records show that Hunter's Island was sold to Ernest
Wyne on June 27, 1914 (he owned it at least until 1918). It is believed
that Wyne sold the island to James Emery who sold it to the Lauck's. The
Laucks occupied the island until the flood of 1937. After the flood, Walter
Drew purchased the land which is now owned by Dr. Wheeler who has owned
the island since 1980. Dr. Wheeler is trying to ensure that the island
doesn't fall into the hands of the developers who consistently wish to
turn it into many different things (from a resort area, an upscale housing
development or an amusement park).
Bridges The
Beck's, Hunter's, and Laucks' did not have to use rafts to cross the river.
Records show that bridges were built spanning the river. The bridges joined
the east side of the island with Riverside Drive between Charles and Welford
Streets. The remains of the last bridge can be seen from both the island
and from Riverside drive. The bridge was destroyed in the great flood of
1942, (The water has been known to get as high as 3-4 feet over the height
of the old bridge about three times a century, with the last time being
in the 1990's) and was never rebuilt. The concrete filled steel abutments
can easily be seen from Riverside Drive, laying on top of the mill race
between the island and Fredericksburg.
The bridge crossed the river and led to a road built in the 1930's, (that
was lined with concrete pillars along the sides which were connected by
chains.) The old house, which was made of 4 stories of stone (The
lowest part of the house was built in the 1700's) has been mostly destroyed
by hurricanes, flood and even an explosion of dynamite after World War
II.
Today Not only can you see the
ruins of the last bridge, you can also see the ruins of the winery, stables,
and a wooden chicken house built with old Dutch cut lumber. A black vulture
can sometimes be seen in the rafters of the old chicken house.
The
island which is now covered with an overgrown of trees, scrubs and grape
vines, (reaching at least 20 feet high and 12-16" around) were brought
from Europe in early 1880's to make wine. The wine was not very good tasting
and the vines were left to grow. The island is now inhabited by wild turkey
and deer.
Vickar's, Mortimer's, Winchester's,
Hunter's, Beck's, or Lauck's Island? Regardless of what name you know it
as, the island is rich with history and worth a visit.
Legend has it that just after
sun down, the ghost of Francis Thornton can be seen floating across what
use to be the fields of the once active farm. When you visit the island
look the initials JEB carved in the small farm building. Could these old
style letters belong to John Beck or one of the Beck family members?
Directions: Take Jefferson Davis Hwy.
to Fall Hill Ave. Before you get to the bridge that crosses the Rappahannock
Canal, there is a small parking lot. The island is walking distance from
there and across the river. The above map does not accurately show the
island. (Please note you should take care when crossing the river.)
We are currently looking for an area guide to keep this section up-to-date and accurate. The "Off the Beaten Path" section is a the brain child of the webmaster. However he only gets to update it when time allows. If you have an idea, topic or content for this section, please let us know. If you are interested in helping out SimplyFredericksburg.com by updating pages and catagories, please contact them here.
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Off
The Beaten Path The
online guide of what to see in Fredericksburg a
service of Simply Web Services
The
Tour
Vickar's purchased the island. Around 1720, Francis Thornton obtained possession
of the island. The island changed hands many times over the next few years
from Vickars, Vicars, Dixon and Mortimer. Recorded history, (as far back
as the early 1800's) shows that the Island was owned by William Winchester
who sold the island to Joshua Howe around 1806. Several other individuals
owned the island, (including Welford and England) until around 1855 when
Sidney Owens bought the island. Owens was married to Jane Elizabeth Beck
which is how the island came to be known as Beck's island. Around 1877
Charles E. Hunter, probably the most noted person to live on the island,
took possession of the island. Hunter, who owned the Hunter Iron works
up the river, owned the island 
before
the Laucks'. Records show that Hunter's Island was sold to Ernest
Wyne on June 27, 1914 (he owned it at least until 1918). It is believed
that Wyne sold the island to James Emery who sold it to the Lauck's. The
Laucks occupied the island until the flood of 1937. After the flood, Walter
Drew purchased the land which is now owned by Dr. Wheeler who has owned
the island since 1980. Dr. Wheeler is trying to ensure that the island
doesn't fall into the hands of the developers who consistently wish to
turn it into many different things (from a resort area, an upscale housing
development or an amusement park).
The
Beck's, Hunter's, and Laucks' did not have to use rafts to cross the river.
Records show that bridges were built spanning the river. The bridges joined
the east side of the island with Riverside Drive between Charles and Welford
Streets. The remains of the last bridge can be seen from both the island
and from Riverside drive. The bridge was destroyed in the great flood of
1942, (The water has been known to get as high as 3-4 feet over the height
of the old bridge about three times a century, with the last time being
in the 1990's) and was never rebuilt. The concrete filled steel abutments
can easily be seen from Riverside Drive, laying on top of the mill race
between the island and Fredericksburg. 
The bridge crossed the river and led to a road built in the 1930's, (that
was lined with concrete pillars along the sides which were connected by
chains.) The old house, which was made of 4 stories of stone (The
lowest part of the house was built in the 1700's) has been mostly destroyed
by hurricanes, flood and even an explosion of dynamite after World War
II. 
The
island which is now covered with an overgrown of trees, scrubs and grape
vines, (reaching at least 20 feet high and 12-16" around) were brought
from Europe in early 1880's to make wine. The wine was not very good tasting
and the vines were left to grow. The island is now inhabited by wild turkey
and deer.
