The Stone Bridge in Manassas National Battlefield Park

SECOND MANASSAS BATTLEFIELD TOUR

STOP 12:  THE STONE BRIDGE

Allow 15 minutes to 1 hour (if you hike the Stone Bridge Loop Trail)

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See the Second Manassas Battlefield Tour web page for a tour map.

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GETTING THERE

If coming from Tour Stop #11 (Portici), make your way back to Sudley Road along Battleview Parkway and turn right. When you get to Highway 29 take another right. The Stone Bridge parking lot is the second left that you will come to, not counting the parking lot for the Stone House at the corner of Hwy 29 and Sudley. As soon as you cross the modern bridge over Bull Run, slow down because the parking lot is just up ahead. The only sign that identifies the stop is a very small one at the entrance; there are no road signs prior to the turn.

WHAT TO SEE

A paved path leads from the parking lot to the Stone Bridge. Vegetation prevents taking a good photo from a distance, but if you work your way down to Bull Run, you can get a better view. In fact, walk over the bridge and take a right on the hiking trail for the best view with the least amount of effort. If you are really gung-ho for a good photo, wade out into the middle of the shallow Bull Run for the best view possible.

Bull Run viewed from the Stone Bridge at Manassas National Battlefield Park

TRAILS

The 1.6-mile Stone Bridge Loop Trail is a highly enjoyable trail, with part of it running right along Bull Run. There is one extremely steep hill on the trail, but there is a shortcut around it for those who have trouble walking up hills. Other than that, it’s an easy hike.

EVENTS AT THE STONE BRIDGE

In the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861), the Stone Bridge was the scene of a diversionary attack by the Union, one designed to hide the fact that 15,000 men were marching north to cross Bull Run at Sudley Ford where they would then sneak down from Matthews Hill and attack the Confederates from the rear.

In March 1862, the Confederates left the Manassas area and blew up the Stone Bridge to prevent Union troops from having an easy time crossing the creek. A few months before the Second Battle of Manassas (August 1862), Union engineers built a wooden bridge at this spot, using the abutments of the original Stone Bridge. This area did not see any fighting during the battle, but it was over the wooden bridge that the Union army retreated on August 30th after suffering a second defeat at Manassas. They blew up the bridge once everyone was across. The bridge that stands today was built in 1884 and supposedly looks just like it did when originally built in 1825.

Photo of the destroyed Stone Bridge

Previous Stop: Portici

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