Rutherford’s Farm


The Great Indian (and Wagon) Road Q4 Virginia historical marker was erected in 2008 by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

Great Indian and Wagon Road Virginia historical marker at Rutherford Farm, northeast of Winchester, Virginia

From the marker:

Q4
The Great Indian (and Wagon) Road

The Great Indian Road, called Philadelphia Wagon Road by many settlers, was developed by Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) warriors traveling in the 1700s through the Great Valley of the Appalachians (which they called Jonontore) from Cohongaronto (north of the Potomac), to raid the Catawba in the Carolinas. In 1743, Iroquois headmen complained that Europeans had settled along the road, a treaty violation. The Lancaster Treaty of 1744 clarified the road’s direction and acknowledged the Iroquois’ right to travel through Frederick County to New River settlements and farther south. This road later brought immigrants to the Valley in Conestoga wagons. Today U.S. Route 11 generally follows the historic road.

Three Virginia historical markers at Rutherford Farm, northeast of Winchester, Virginia

The marker is one of three Virginia historical markers relocated to a small park east of the Rutherford Crossing shopping center