Rapidan, Virginia

Rapidan, Virginia
Rapidan
Location in Virginia
Rapidan
Rapidan (the United States)
Coordinates (city): 38°18′45″N 78°03′57″W / 38.31250°N 78.06583°W / 38.31250; -78.06583
Country United States
State Virginia
CountyCulpeper & Orange
EstablishedMid- to late 1700s
Area
 • Total
49 sq mi (130 km2)
Elevation
430 ft (131 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total
1,469
 • Density30/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
22733
Area code540

Rapidan is a small unincorporated community in the Virginia counties of Culpeper and Orange, approximately five miles (8 km) northeast of the Town of Orange. The community, located on both sides of the Rapidan River, was established in the late eighteenth century around the Waugh's Ford mill. The Orange and Alexandria Railroad built a line through the town in 1854, a post office was built at the river crossing, and its name was changed to Rapid Ann Station. Milling remained a major industry in the area up through the mid-twentieth century.