Fredericksburg (Virginia) understand · Fredericksburg (Virginia) tourist information
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Fredericksburg (Virginia) tourist information
Fredericksburg (Virginia) tourist information
Fredericksburg was founded in colonial era as a "port city" on the Rappahannock River--the fifth longest river in Virginia. At the time, it was at the farthest point navigable by large ships trading goods with the Old World. Although the city became a key trading center for the plantation owners and farmers nearby, it never achieved the level of commerce enjoyed by Richmond and Alexandria.
The city was contested during the American Civil War, changing hands numerous times between Union and Confederate forces. The most famous battle in Fredericksburg saw Union General Burnside repeatedly march thousands of his troops across the Rappahannock River and up Marye's Heights to their doom.
In recent years, Fredericksburg's population and surrounding communities have boomed as housing costs closer to Washington, DC forced commuters to seek neighborhoods farther out. Many living in Fredericksburg drive up to two hours or catch the VRE commuter rail to work in DC. Fredericksburg is also a popular home for military families employed by the nearby Quantico Marine and Dahlgren Naval bases.
The downtown area has experienced a revival since the 1970's allowing a strong arts community to thrive. Galleries, music venues, and fine dining can all be found in the historic district. While the city has seen massive growth, the downtown area and battlefields have been well preserved due to strong local commitment to historic preservation, providing a unique blend of old and new culture.
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Fredericksburg (Virginia) Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.