Fisher's Hill (VA120)
September 21-22, 1864
Description:
South of the town of Strasburg, occupying the bottomlands and flanking hillsides of Tumbling Run, Fisher’s Hill battlefield is defined by hills upon which the opposing armies engaged each other. Confederate entrenchments south of Tumbling Run cut lines through the fields, and prominent hilltops were used for signaling and coordination of troop movements. The battlefield is bound by the wildly curving North Fork of the Shenandoah River on the east and Little North Mountain to the west. I-81 and US Route 11 run through the center of the battlefield.
Fisher's Hill will continue to benefit from public-private protection efforts, which have saved about five percent of the surviving historic landscape. The planned widening of I-81, if not designed by preservation advocates and transportation planners to avoid or minimize impacts, will destroy portions of the battlefield landscape.
Study Area (including Core Area)
10,249
Core Area
2,751
Historical Designation:
None
Preservation Challenges:
Development Pressure
I-81 Expansion
Preservation Planning:
Fisher's Hill and Tom's Brook Battlefields Preservation Plan
Valley Pike + Fisher's Hill Trail Project
Significance:
The Battle of Fisher’s Hill was an excellent example of a surprise flanking movement against a defending force in a strong position. The battle opened the Shenandoah Valley to the destruction of its agricultural base
