A Little-Known Slice Of Virginia History Can Be Found At This Roadside Marker

Have you ever heard of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe? It sounds like something from an adventure novel, but it is, in fact, a very real chapter in Virginia's history. It all began in 1716 when British Lieutenant Governor of the Virginia Colony Alexander Spotswood led a group of men over the Blue Ridge Mountains in the first official exploration of the area. While it signifies the discovery of the Shenandoah Valley, in truth, Native Americans had long known about this beautiful passage through the Blue Ridge Mountains, and there was potentially an even earlier European expedition. Nevertheless, the story of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe is a compelling one.

In the early eighteenth century, Governor Alexander Spotswood set out to find a passage through the Blue Ridge Mountains with the goal of discovering an inland passage to the Great Lakes.

In August of 1716, he left the then-capital of Virginia at Williamsburg and headed north, then west, near the headwaters of the Rappahannock River.

Along the way, he visited many of Virginia's most prominent residents as his group grew larger and with it, the curiosity as to what lay beyond the boundary of the Virginia Colony.

On September 5th, 1718, the group of nearly 50 reached the first mountain chain of what is now known as Swift Run Gap, encountering a stunning view of the Shenandoah Valley.

During their trek, the group required a larger number of horseshoes than was typically needed for travel in eastern Virginia.

Upon return, the Governor presented each of the men with a golden horseshoe which bore the motto "Sic juvat transcendere montes," meaning “It is my pleasure to climb the mountains.” From then on, the group was known as the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe.

In 1921, the Colonial Dames of America placed a pyramid monument at one of the places where it's believed that the group first glimpsed the Shenandoah Valley.

Today, the markers can be found along the south side of Virginia Route 33 in the Swift Run Gap, where you'll also find a historic marker with a brief history of the excursion.

Did you know about the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe? Have you seen this fascinating and little-known historical marker before? If so, feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below! If you're curious to learn more about famous landmarks throughout the Old Dominion, be sure to check out A Guidebook to Virginia's Historical Markers.