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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Thomas in Tucker County, West Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic) |
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Fairfax Stone
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By F. Robby, August 18, 2007 | |
| | | 1. Fairfax Stone Marker | | |
Inscription. This monument, at the headspring of the Potomac River, marks one of the historic spots of America. Its name is derived from Thomas Lord Fairfax who owned all the land lying between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. The first Fairfax Stone, marked by "FX", was set in 1746 by Thomas Lewis, a surveyor employed by Lord Fairfax. This is the base point for the western dividing line between Maryland and West Virginia.
Erected 1957.
Location. 39° 11.67′ N, 79° 29.23′ W. Marker is in Thomas, West Virginia, in Tucker County. Marker is at the intersection of Fairfax Road (West Virginia Route 9) and Seneca Trail (U.S. 219), on the right when traveling west on Fairfax Road. Click for map. Marker is located in Fairfax Stone State Park at the end of Fairfax Road. WV Route 9 is also called Kempton Road and Leadmine Mountain Road between US 219 and Fairfax Stone State Park. Marker is in this post office area: Thomas WV 26292, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. A different marker also named Fairfax Stone (approx. 1.7 miles away); Hoye-Crest (approx. 3 miles away in Maryland); Highest Point on the Maryland State Roads System (approx. 8.5 miles away in Maryland); Preston County / Maryland (approx. 8.6 miles away); Old Stone Tavern (approx. 9.4 miles away); Aurora (approx. 9.7 miles away); Gantz Sand (approx. 9.7 miles away); Grant County / State of Maryland (approx. 10.2 miles away). | | | | 
By F. Robby, August 18, 2007 | |
| | | 2. Headspring of the Potomac River | | The headspring, about 1 mile south of the extreme southwest corner of Garrett County, Maryland, marks the basepoint for determining Maryland's western border with West Virginia. | | |
Regarding Fairfax Stone. Although the Fairfax Stone marks the base point for the western dividing line between Maryland and West Virginia, the stone is actually located fully in West Virginia, about one mile due south of the extreme southwest corner of Garrett County, Maryland. In 1910 the Supreme Court ruled that the boundary of Maryland would only go west up the Potomac far enough to meet a point where a North line from the Fairfax stone would cross the branch of the Potomac used for the southern boundary of Garrett County.
The Fairfax Stone is also used today to mark the corners of Tucker, Preston, and Grant counties in West Virginia.
Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for the Fairfax Stone. (Submitted on December 3, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.)
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By F. Robby, August 18, 2007 | |
| | | 3. Fairfax Stones | | The marker plaque is attached to a natural stone overhanging the headspring. Nearby is a concrete marker erected in 1910 to replace the original Fairfax Stone which was vandalized in 1880. The 1910 marker is inscribed with a barely readable "FX-1746" on the south side and "1910" on the north side. | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on December 2, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,260 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 2, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.
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