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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic) |
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Bush Hill
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By Roger Dean Meyer, September 8, 2007 | |
| | | 1. Bush Hill Marker | | |
Inscription. Josiah Watson, a wealthy merchant and postmaster of Alexandria, established his 272-acre plantation, “Bush Hill”, in 1791. Richard Marshall Scott purchased the plantation in 1791; his family stayed here for 200 years. Scott was an attorney, bank president and planter who married three times, due to the death of his first two wives. In 1833, with Scott’s death, his son Richard and Virginia Gunnell moved here and produced wheat, oats, rye, and corn on the plantation. Richard died at age 27 of tuberculosis. Virginia, a northern sympathizer, and two sons shared the house with Union officers during the Civil War while a Massachusetts regiment camped on the land.
(sidebar)
Bush Hill
Retired and apart from the
world’s busy hum,
This rural and
lovely retreat,
By the genius of talent and
taste, has become
To the stranger and
curious, a treat.
’Tis a model, deserving of
copy from all
Who wish’to improve
their estates;
’Tis a spot, where the
spring & the summer
and fall,
Man’s bosom
delighted elates.
Should I search far & wide,
there is not a place
My soul
would prefer to
‘BUSH-HILL’
For Natural charms, and
for many a grace
Conferr’d
by industry and skill.
—Phenix Gazette, November 26, 1825
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By Roger Dean Meyer, September 8, 2007 | |
| | | 2. Wetlands behind the Bush Hill Marker | | |
Erected by KSI in cooperation with the Alexandria Archeological Museum, Office of Historic Alexandria.
Location. 38° 48.187′ N, 77° 7.155′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. Marker is on Eisenhower Avenue 0.8 miles east of Metro Road, on the right when traveling east. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexandria VA 22304, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Birthplace of Fitzhugh Lee (approx. 1 miles away); Lake Cook (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rose Hill (approx. 1.4 miles away); Fort Ward (approx. 2 miles away); Southwest Bastion (approx. 2 miles away); Entrance Gate to Fort Ward (approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Ward (approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Ward (approx. 2.1 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Alexandria.
Additional comments.
1. Holly Hill School
My mother and father, Stephen and Betty Balazs operated Holly Hill School and what is not noted and maybe unknown is that this was the first private school in the area to accept a black student, who I am still in contact with. This building has a full circle of history from slaves to the first black student accepted into the first grade. The car infront of the building, was my first car. | | | | 
By Roger Dean Meyer, September 8, 2007 | |
| | | 3. The Bush Hill Plantation House | |
The main house at Bush Hill Plantation was a twelve-room brick Georgian structure. The property included a brick barn, a granary, corn house, cow and sheep shelters, overseers’ house, “negro quarters”, dairy and ice house.
Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library
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Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor — Submitted February 23, 2009, by Stephen C Balazs Jr., PMP of Sterling, Virginia. |
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By Roger Dean Meyer, September 8, 2007 | |
| | | 4. Bush Hill Serves As A Prison | | During World War II the federal government leased Bush Hill from the Gunnell family for use in the internment of Adolf Hitler’s counselor of foreign affairs, Ernst “Putzi” Hanfstaengl, who was assisting the Allies. Putzi was considered one of the only men who could detect whether or not German broadcasts of Hitler were authentic or done by stand-ins.
Virginia Room, Fairfax County Library | | |
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By Roger Dean Meyer, September 8, 2007 | |
| | | 5. Bush Hill Abandoned as a School, Burns | |
After World War II, Bush Hill served as the “Holly Hill School” until March 6, 1977, when it was vandalized and then abandoned. The house was destroyed by arson one week later.
Washington Post, March 17, 1977
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By Roger Dean Meyer, September 8, 2007 | |
| | | 6. Richard Marshall Scott Assets | | The Richard Marshall Scott’s lived well, as reflected in their 1815 personal property tax list: 13 slaves; 5 horses; 9 cattle; 2 carriages; $4500 house; ice house; gold watch’ mahogany furniture: bookcase, 14 chairs, 3 chests, sideboard, 6 tables, 6 calico curtains; 11 prints; looking glass; 4 silver goblets.
Mutual Assurance Society
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By Roger Dean Meyer, September 8, 2007 | |
| | | 7. The Indians Occupied This Land First | | Native Americans were the first to occupy this land. Archaeologists discovered 3500 year-old camps in the vicinity. By the 1600’s, the local Algonquian-speaking population was referred to as the Dogue by the colonists; they all died or moved away by the 1700’s. These people left behind in the soil, rocks from their hearths, stone tools and thousands of pieces of stone debris from tool making.
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By Roger Dean Meyer, September 8, 2007 | |
| | | 8. Orange and Alexandria Railroad | | In 1850 workmen began to clear a line through Bush Hill for the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. Richard William Scott described the first passage of the train in his Day Book, July 4, 1851: “We witnessed for the first time today, a train carrying about 600 people going on an excursion on the road to Backlick, a distance of 11 miles from Alexandria and the present termination of the rails—as seen from the north windows (6 in number) passing through our meadow with their gay passengers, presented a very pretty sight and to me one of great interest.” | | |
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| Credits. This page originally submitted on September 20, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Alexandria, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,847 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 20, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Alexandria, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page. | | Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print |
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