Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Markers

This historical marker was placed in 2004 next to a pair of small monuments dedicated in 1921 and 1934 that both commemorate a colonial-era expedition into Virginia. In 1716, Governor Spotswood led a party of fifty men which included governmental officials, Native American guides, enslaved persons, and colonial gentry into the Shenandoah Valley. The expedition was a leisurely one, with the group often stopping to drink, celebrate, and hunt, with the most formidable opponents they ran into being hornets. Since there was no conflict on the expedition, it's entered into Virginian memory as a symbol of the state's peacefulness, a narrative that differs significantly from the perspectives of many enslaved persons, Native Americans, and others during the colonial era. Each member of the party was given a golden horseshoe, a tradition which continues today with exceptional members of the 100th Regiment receiving the same.

In 1716, Alexander Spotswood, royal governor, gathered 50 prominent men and 74 horses and led them up the Rappahannock River valley to explore the rest of Virginia. The expedition, which took the group up the Blue Ridge Mountains, became known as the Knights of the Gold Horseshoe Expedition. The party traveled at a leisurely pace, frequently stopping to celebrate with food and drink. Few to no party members died and there was no conflict with the surrounding Native Americans. Months after the expedition, the party members were each given a golden horseshoe and the journey entered into local legend. Over time, the trek became an important part of Virginian history and helped develop the people's self-image as being peaceful and hospitable.

The first pyramid monument to the expedition was placed in 1921 by the Colonial Dames of America, a heritage group operated by women who can claim to be descended from colonial leaders. The second was placed thirteen years later by the state of Virginia. A historic marker is next to the pyramid monuments telling the popular story. Today, exemplary members of the 100th Regiment of the Army are given golden horseshoes by their leaders, a tradition they picked up from Governor Spotswood and his men.

Hare, John. "Knights of the Horse-Shoe, The (1845)" Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Humanities, (07 Dec. 2020). Web. 26 Mar. 2023

The Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition, Wikipedia. Accessed March 18th, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of_the_Golden_Horseshoe_Expedition.

Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Markers, Atlas Obsura. Accessed March 18th, 2023. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/knights-of-the-golden-horseshoe-markers.