Fort Bowman

Fort Bowman is a two-story rectangular stone structure with limestone walls and hand-dressed ceiling joists, topped with a gable roof that uses principal-purlin framing throughout. The property includes an original kitchen wing, an iron-detailed wooden porch, a dairy building, and a burial ground on its grounds.

George Bowman, a Pennsylvania-German settler, built this fortified house in 1753 as a family residence in the frontier landscape. Over time, the property became home to several individuals with military connections during the colonial and early American periods.

The building shows Pennsylvania-German building traditions through its limestone walls and hand-finished wooden details inside, reflecting how settlers from that region shaped the Shenandoah Valley.

The house sits northeast of where Routes 660 and U.S. 11 meet, near Middletown, but it remains private property with restricted visitor access. You can view the exterior from nearby roads, though it is best to check ahead about any public viewing opportunities.

A small graveyard on the grounds holds the burial of Isaac Bowman, marking an important family connection that extends across generations. This cemetery preserves the memory of the people who lived at the property long after the main house was built.

Location: Shenandoah County

GPS coordinates: 39.00333,-78.32861

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:47