Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches

Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches are defensive lines that extend for several miles across the landscape, built with earthen mounds and reinforced wooden barriers. The system forms a connected network of fortifications that shows how soldiers built protective positions during the conflict.

The fortifications began in 1861 when southern artillery units sought to protect Romney from attack. As the war continued, northern forces took control and used these defenses until fighting ended.

The trenches show how soldiers changed their fighting methods during the war, moving from open battles to defended positions. Walking through them today reveals how this shift in tactics shaped the landscape and the way people understood warfare.

The trenches are located near a wildlife management area and can be accessed from several points across the landscape. A nearby museum provides background information to help visitors understand what they are seeing as they walk the grounds.

The earthen fortifications are among the few remaining trench systems from that era and show how complete such defensive works could be. The survival of these lines is notable because similar fortifications elsewhere have been erased by farming and development.

Location: Romney

GPS coordinates: 39.32440,-78.79360

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:40