Cedar Creek • Tour the Battlefield • Battle Maps • The Armies
Stop Five on the Cedar Creek battlefield auto tour is the Belle Grove Plantation. It was built in 1797 by Isaac Hite Jr., grandson of Joist Hite. It is one of the few large plantations in the Shenandoah Valley and has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark.
Belle Grove was the Union army headquarters at the time of the battle. The extensive grounds between the buildings and the Valley Pike served as the army’s wagon park, and supplies were stockpiled there.
The Confederates overran the area about 7 a.m. in heavy fighting. Many hungry Confederate troops took some time out here to take advantage of the wealth of Yankee food and other supplies that were available.
After the battle the house served as a hospital. Confederate General Stephen Dodson Ramseur was brought here after he was mortally wounded.
Belle Grove was built in 1797 by Isaac Hite Jr., grandson of Joist Hite. It is one of the few large plantations in the Shenandoah Valley. The site is managed and operated by Belle Grove, Inc. Touring the grounds is free, and guided tours of the house are available for a small fee which goes to the upkeep and presentation of the historical site.
Ranger talks are held in the shaded front yard, which looks across the valley to beautiful Massanutton Mountain.
Monument and Markers at Belle Grove
- A Rich Prize 7 a.m. wayside marker
- In Honor of Joist Hite (1685-1761) monument
- Old Hall at Belle Grove
- Plantation Slavery wayside marker
- Shenendoah Valley orientation marker