Salona Marker

HMdb.org

THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE “Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”

Home — My Markers — Add A Marker — Marker Series — Links & Books — Forum — About Us

Word or Phrase

Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print

McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Salona

By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

1. Salona Marker

Inscription. Salona was built on part of the 1719 Thomas Lee 2,862 acre grant known as Langley. During the War of 1812, the estate's owner, the Rev. William Maffitt, reputedly gave refuge to President James Madison as the British burned Washington. Civil War Camp Griffin occupied Salona, then owned by Jacob Smoot, through the winter of 1861/62, the house serving as headquarters for Union General William "Baldy" Smith. A working farm until the Smoot family began selling acreage in 1947, Salona was purchased in stages by Clive and Susan Duval beginning in 1953. The Duval family later arranged for the preservation of the house and property.

Erected 2010 by Fairfax County History Commission.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Virginia, Fairfax County History Commission marker series.

Location. 38° 56.424′ N, 77° 10.573′ W. Marker is in McLean, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker is on Dolley Madison Blvd. (Virginia Route 123), on the right when traveling north. Click for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1235 Dolley Madison Blvd., Mc Lean VA 22101, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Benvenue (about 600 feet away, in a direct line); McLean (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Laughlin Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Battle of Lewinsville (approx. one mile away); Langley Fork (approx. 1.2 miles away); William Whann Mackall (approx. 1.4 miles away); Burling Defenders (approx. 2.2 miles away); Cabin John (approx. 2.6 miles away in Maryland). Click for a list of all markers in McLean.

Salona marker, Salona property in background Photo, Click for full size

By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

2. Salona marker, Salona property in background

Photo taken from Rt. 123.

More about this marker. The marker is located on public land next to the Salona property, right around the corner from the intersection of Buchanan Street and Rt. 123. The private residence is currently obscured by trees.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Salona Preservation Efforts. Information on Fairfax County's preservation efforts, and background information on Salona. (Submitted on August 1, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia.)

2. Camp Griffin. Additional information on Salona, Camp Griffin, and the Civil War camps around the McLean area. (Submitted on August 1, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia.)

3. Letters from Camp Griffin. St. Mary's College in California has an on-line collection of letters from a private stationed at Camp Griffin. (Submitted on August 1, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia.)

A front view of the Salona house Photo, Click for full size

By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

3. A front view of the Salona house

The Salona house sits on private property and cannot be easily viewed from the street.

Marker on the origin of the Salona house Photo, Click for full size

By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

4. Marker on the origin of the Salona house

This marker is affixed to the front of the Salona house, near the entrance way.

Back of the Salona house Photo, Click for full size

By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

5. Back of the Salona house

Rock and marker on the path to the Salona house Photo, Click for full size

By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

6. Rock and marker on the path to the Salona house

Another marker commemorating Madison's stay Photo, Click for full size

By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

7. Another marker commemorating Madison's stay

This marker is affixed to the front of the house, near the entrance-way.

Property just behind the Salona house Photo, Click for full size

By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

8. Property just behind the Salona house

Vermont regiments encamped on the land around the Salona house.

Credits. This page originally submitted on July 31, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. This page has been viewed 917 times since then. Last updated on August 2, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 1, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.