Fort Defiance, Virginia

Fort Defiance is an unincorporated community in Augusta County, Virginia, United States. It is part of the StauntonWaynesboro Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Fort Defiance
Census-designated place
Fort Defiance is located in Virginia
Fort Defiance
Fort Defiance
Location within the state of Virginia
Coordinates: 38°14′25″N 078°58′19″W / 38.24028°N 78.97194°W / 38.24028; -78.97194
CountryUnited States
StateVirginia
CountyAugusta County
Elevation
1,286 ft (392 m)
Population
 (2002)[1]
 • Total780
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
24437
Area code540
1933 photo of the Old Stone Church from the Historic American Buildings Survey.

History

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Augusta Stone Church was established in the area now known as Fort Defiance in 1740. Local legend claims the church was used as a haven during the French and Indian War, when Augusta County was the western frontier for the country. The original church building was made of logs and, along with the historic cemetery, was located east of present-day U.S. Route 11 and to the rear of the stone church.[2] Following the defeat of General Edward Braddock at the Battle of the Monongahela on 9 July 1755, parishioners fortified the Old Stone Presbyterian Church and named the fortification Fort Defiance.[3]: 19  The name Fort Defiance was not put on the community until the late 19th century.[1]

Sites of interest

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Education

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Fort Defiance is served by Augusta County Public Schools. Clymore Elementary School, Stewart Middle School and Fort Defiance High School are within the unincorporated area's boundaries.

References

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