James Marshall Highway Spring

## Overview The James Marshall Highway Spring is a public drinking spring located along Wardensville Pike (Route 55) near Star Tannery in Frederick County, Virginia. Situated in the scenic Shenandoah Valley region at the foot of the Appalachian ridges, this roadside spring has historically served as a convenient water stop for travelers passing through the area. The spring sits at an elevation consistent with the karst limestone geology common to this part of the Great Valley, where underground aquifers feed numerous natural springs to the surface. The spring takes its name from the James Marshall Highway, a stretch of Route 55 that winds through the rural countryside between Strasburg and Wardensville, West Virginia. This corridor has long been a travel route through the mountains, and roadside springs like this one have provided refreshment to passersby for generations. Visitors have reported that the water flows reliably and has historically been used as a drinking water source by locals and travelers alike. ## Directions 1. From Strasburg, Virginia, head west on Route 55 (Wardensville Pike / James Marshall Highway) toward Star Tannery. 2. Continue along Route 55 through the rural countryside of Frederick County. 3. The spring is located near **1751 Wardensville Pike, Star Tannery, VA 22654**. 4. Watch for a **large pull-off area** on the side of the road — the spring is easy to spot from the highway. 5. GPS coordinates: **39.0994, -78.4740** ## What to Expect This is a straightforward, easy-to-access roadside spring with a large pull-off area that makes stopping simple and safe, even for larger vehicles. The spring is visible directly from the road, so there's no hiking or searching required — just pull over and fill up. The surrounding landscape is classic Shenandoah Valley countryside, with rolling farmland and wooded ridgelines in the background. Route 55 through this stretch is a scenic drive in its own right, particularly during fall foliage season when the surrounding hardwood forests put on a spectacular display. As with any natural spring, water conditions can vary with weather and seasonal changes. The spring has historically been used as a drinking water source, though visitors should be aware that natural spring water is untested and unregulated. The large pull-off provides ample space for parking, making this a convenient stop whether you're on a dedicated spring-water run or simply passing through on your way to or from the West Virginia border.