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(38.28973,-77.48125)
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The park is named for an alum spring that is found at the end of asandstone cliff which is a geological formation about 100 millionyears old.To enter the park, it is necessary to drive through a shallowriver bed known as Hazel Run, although there is a small parkingarea available before the ford and a footbridge for access. Thepark offers additional parking, picnic tables with charcoal grills,restrooms, a pavilion, playground equipment, hiking trails alongHazel Run, sandstone cliffs, and historic sites and is a favoritefor water activities and geocaching.In the 1700's and 1800's, alum was used for preserving meats andtanning hides. Many also believed that alum spring water hadcurative powers.George Washington surveyed the property for his brother-in-law,Fielding Lewis, who operated a mill at Alum Spring, and his sonJohn became the next owner. William B. Stuart had a water gristflour mill and sawmill in 1809-10. By June of 1831, Samuel Alsopwas operating what was termed "the Alum Spring Mill." Today, a signmarks the location of the gristmill race.Buildings at Alum Spring were used as a prison for Hessian andBritish troops captured at Trenton NJ by George Washington. Afterthe surrender of Cornwallis, the buildings were also used as ahospital.In the 1800's, ice taken from the Alum Spring millpond was aprized commodity. A sign on the trail at a large indentation marksthe location of a icehouse.The narrow pathway between the Alum Spring rock and the millpond was the site of duels between William Glassell and RobertRitchie in 1790 and William Thornton and Francis Fitzhugh Conway in1803.Part of the park includes the railbed for the old VirginiaCentral Rail Road. A sign marking the old railbed provides a briefhistory.During the bombardment of Fredericksburg in December, 1862, thesandstone cliff was a refuge for hundreds of women andchildren.In 1965, historian and teacher Robert A. Hodge persuadedFredericksburg officials to turn the Alum Spring property into apublic park saving this historic site from development. For furtherinformation on the park's history and interesting facts, you canvisit History Point.org(visit link)Alum Spring Park is open year round:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November 1 through March 3110 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 1 through October 31.For further information, call Fredericksburg Parks and Recreationat 540-372-1086
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