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Historic Site

Southeast Boundary Stone 9

Southeast Boundary Stone 9 - Quick Facts
HSP Category Landmark
Period 1791-1792
HSP Style Landmark
Construction Stone
Original Use Boundary Stone of Washington D.C.
Present Use Boundary Stone of Washington D.C.

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)

Acknowledgements: Notes on locating this stone: Oxon Cove Bridge is the bridge that I-295 crosses just north of the intersection with I-495. You can reach this stone on foot by following the partially-paved path that leads to Oxon Hill Farm from either D.C. Village Lane in Washington or the intersection of Oxon Run Drive and Audrey Lane in Maryland. Leave the path when it turns away from Oxon Cove; then follow Oxon Cove shoreline to the base of Oxon Cove Bridge, where you must cross underneath I-295 to get to the Potomac River. From the endpoint of the large rocks that surround the base of the bridge, follow the Potomac shoreline about 1,000 feet southwest until you are just past one west of the Masonic Memorial (across the river) and the bridge is no longer visible behind you. If you are on a sandy beach with many car tires, you are in the right place. The stone is 120 feet to the east in the forest at the foot of a hill.
Form Submitted By: District of Columbia Daughters of the American Revolution 01/14/2013

Designations:

  • National Register of Historical Places

Historic Marker:

  • Marker Organization: D.C. DAR
  • Marker Date: 1916
  • Marker Text: Original Federal Boundary Stone 1791-1792 Protected by Monticello Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution 1916

Funded By:

Maintenance assistance for renovation, installation, and repair of protective cages is managed by the D.C. DAR and original Boundary Stones are managed by the D.C. DAR Historic Preservation Committee.

Information for the Visitors:

What you need to know if interested in visiting this destination:

  • Condition of Property: Preserve
  • Open to the Public? Yes
  • Public Fee: None
  • Public Hours: Daylight

Select a State to Explore our Historic Properties

Directions and application forms can be found on this page or in the Forms section of the DAR members' website.

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