Historical Significance

"The boundary stones are the oldest federal monuments. The Residence Act of July 16, 1790, as amended March 3, 1791, authorized President George Washington to select a 100-square-mile site for the national capital on the Potomac River between Alexandria, Virginia, and Williamsport, Maryland. President Washington selected the southernmost location within these limits, so that the capital would include all of present-day Old Town Alexandria, then one of the four busiest ports in the country. Acting on instructions from Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Major Andrew Ellicott began surveying the ten-mile square on February 12, 1791. In 1915 the District of Columbia Chapters adopted the Boundary Stones, acquired deeds from the property owners to install a footing for the iron protective fences." They had identical fences designed and installed and finally in 1916/1917 dedication ceremonies took place to mark each stone with a plaque with the name of the Chapter who agreed to be its steward. (Wording from www.boundarystones.org) 

 

Ownership and Care

Ownership of SW7 lies with Arlington County and Woodlake Towers Condominium Unit Owners Association. The Fairfax County Chapter NSDAR has stewardship responsibility for it. The Chapter does not hold an ownership deed for the property. A member of the Chapter visits the site on an annual basis to inspect the fence, stone and cleanup around the location. The Fairfax County Chapter was granted permission to erect a fence around SW7 on August 16, 1917, per the permission deed. On May 20, 1919, the Fairfax County Chapter "conducted appropriate services at Glencaryn" per the State Historian report at the Twenty-Third Virginia State Conference.

 

Details

Placement Date: May 20, 1919

Dedicated By: Fairfax County Chapter NSDAR

Dedication Details: There is no formal plaque or bronze marker.  At the time the fence installed around SW-7 served as the marking for this boundary stone. A service was held May 20, 1919 by the Fairfax County Chapter, NSDAR.