Bladensburg in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
George Washington House
(Circa 1752)
Photographed By F. Robby, January 2, 2004
1. George Washington House Marker
Inscription.
George Washington House. (Circa 1752). The George Washington House, often referred to as the Indian Queen Tavern, was built by tavern keeper Jacob Wirt. Prior to the Revolution, when Bladensburg was a thriving port town, this building was rented out to Cunningham and Company, a Scottish mercantile firm, which traded in tobacco. The building later served as a tavern and stagecoach stop for weary travellers during their journeys along the Old Post Road, a major route linking the north and south. From 1774 to 1783 it was run by innkeeper-turned-lawyer and balloonist Peter Carnes. In 1784 Carnes made the first authenticated unmanned and manned balloon ascents in America. In 1792 this building was sold to further the legal education of William Wirt, Jacob's youngest son, William, born here in 1772, later became a prominent lawyer, author, and noted United States Attorney General (1817 to 1829) and a candidate for President in 1832. In 1894 populist reformer Jacob Coxey and his army of unemployed protesters camped here during their march on Washington, D.C. seeking federal aid.
The George Washington House, often referred to as the Indian Queen Tavern, was built by tavern keeper Jacob Wirt. Prior to the Revolution, when Bladensburg was a thriving port town, this building was rented out to Cunningham and Company, a Scottish mercantile firm, which traded in tobacco. The building later served as a tavern and stagecoach stop for weary travellers during their journeys along the Old Post Road, a major route linking the north and south. From 1774 to 1783 it was run by innkeeper-turned-lawyer and balloonist Peter Carnes. In 1784 Carnes made the first authenticated unmanned and manned balloon ascents in America. In 1792 this building was sold to further the legal education of William Wirt, Jacob's youngest son, William, born here in 1772, later became a prominent lawyer, author, and noted United States Attorney General (1817 to 1829) and a candidate for President in 1832. In 1894 populist reformer Jacob Coxey and his army of unemployed protesters camped here during their march on Washington, D.C. seeking federal aid.
Erected by Prince George's County Historical Society.
38° 56.463′ N, 76° 56.47′ W. Marker is in Bladensburg, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is at the intersection of Upshur Street and Baltimore Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Upshur Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bladensburg MD 20710, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, January 5, 2008
4. "Often referred to as the Indian Queen Tavern . . ."
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 6,357 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on November 16, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on July 18, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on November 16, 2007, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on January 6, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.
