Donaldson Run in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Birchwood

Photographed By Kevin Vincent, June 17, 2012

1. Birchwood Marker

Inscription. Caleb Birch, a farmer and constable, built a log house here around 1800 on land granted to his grandfather, James Robertson, by Lord Fairfax in 1724. The original house burned and was rebuilt about 1836. A second log cabin was added ten years later. The two cabins, although separate, had a common roof, forming what was known as a “dog trot” house. Later President Theodore Roosevelt rode horseback in this area with his friend and White House physician, Rear Admiral Presley M. Rixey, on whose estate Birchwood stood. Rixey’s valet, Richard Wallace, lived at Birchwood, and Roosevelt visited Wallace here. In 1936, Birchwood was reconstructed using the original logs.

Erected by Arlington County, Virginia.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.

Location. 38° 54.36′ N, 77° 7.36′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Donaldson Run. Marker is at the intersection of 26th Street N and North Wakefield Street, on the right when traveling north on 26th Street N. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 4572 26th Street N, Arlington VA 22207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wunder's Crossroads (approx. half a mile away); Stratford Junior High School (approx. 0.7 miles away); Taking Action: Dorothy M. Bigelow Hamm (approx. 0.7 miles away); Taking Action: Barbara Johns (approx. ¾ mile away); Take Action! (approx. ¾ mile away); Taking Action: E. Leslie Hamm, Jr. (approx. ¾ mile away); Taking Action: Michael Jones, Gloria Thompson, Ronald Deskins, Lance Newman (approx. ¾ mile away); Little Falls Road (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Photographed By Kevin Vincent, June 17, 2012

2. Birchwood

Photographed By Kevin Vincent, June 17, 2012

3. Birchwood

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2012, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. This page has been viewed 783 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2012, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.