Rock Stop Farm

Circa 1791

Rappahannock Academy, Virginia

This is a property with Character and Personality.

Below, is a U.S.G.S. topographic map, with boundaries approximated.

Most of the property is a level plateau, bordered by strongly defined drainage areas.

Lowest elevation is at about sea level, at the river; highest elevation is at about 200 feet, presenting a significant vertical difference for the tidewater area.  

double click to view and print  

From Aerials and the Topographic Map, it can be said there are basically four distinct areas:

1. Open Lands
2. House Sites
3. Woodlands
4. Creeks, Stream Valleys and "Box Canyons"

1. Open Lands

Open lands in grass total about 14.5 to 15 acres.

Below, USDA, NRC soils map showing areas of Prime Farmland in green.

For the entire soils report on Prime Farmland  report (boundaries as drawn are approximate), click - HERE.

2. House Sites

The existing house is described in detail at the icon "House", at the very top of this page.

The existing house site is dominated by mature plantings, a lawn, and a few outbuildings.

OTHER HOUSE SITES exist in terms of site planning for extraordinary views of a dramatic topography in terms of land elevations going from about 190 feet to 30 feet over a short distance. It almost appears to be a slice of the Piedmont or foot hills topography.

3.  Woodlands

Large to mature hardwoods dominate the bulk of Rock Stop.  Towering over the ridgelines and framing creek valleys, the trees create a landscape which is absolutely unique. ....................

View down farm road in wood.

   Sections of the woods on the plateau are park-like.

  View of river from the eastern most boundary of the 34 acre parcel.  Cutting of trees is regulated by the Chesapeake Bay Act, Federal Clean Water Act, and/or other regulations.  Consult a professional for advice as to what can or can not be done.

Above, view looking up the road leading to the river

   One of the 'finger plateaus' jutting out from the ridge line, overlooking the stream valley; about 100-150 feet in elevation difference.

4.  Creeks, Stream Valleys, and "Box Canyons"

According to the U.S. Geological Survey Map, the creek is unnamed.   Although it is small, the creek serves a significant, well defined drainage area.

  The valley floor is, in some places, terraced.  The valley floor is generally, level, good ground to walk on.

"Box Canyon" ?

double click to enlarge photo

Over the years, some drainage areas eroded the slopes into small box canyons, areas that are deep and narrow; Virginia's equivalent to Arizona's box canyons.  There is little utility or use for such land (other than wildlife), but the beauty, for those who appreciate it, is overwhelming. If you want a flat wheat field - go to Kansas. If you want to see what can be sculpted from the earth by nature -  this is the property.

A vineyard?  Above, the cover a book edited by Tony Wolf, the foremost authority on viticulture in Virginia states:  "Elevation has a profound influence on the minimum and maximum temperature in a vineyard, particularly in hilly, mountainous terrain.  Because frosts and freezing temperatures can so dramatically reduce vineyard profitability, elevation is one of the most - perhaps the most - important features of vineyard suitability."

Rock Stop is picturesque and off  the historic Tidewater Trail (Rt. 17), linking the City of Fredericksburg to the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck of Virginia and the I-95 corridor to Route 301 corridor.