Mount Vernon in Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Original Mount Vernon High School

December 27, 2016

1. Original Mount Vernon High School Marker

Inscription. The original Mount Vernon High School was located here on 8.8 acres that were once part of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Fairfax County purchased the land for $400 per acre in November 1938. Construction funding was provided by Fairfax County and the Depression-era Federal Public Works Administration. The school opened in January 1940 and continued here until 1973, when the new school opened nearby. Melvin B. Landes served as principal from 1945 to 1973 during a period of rapid population growth and integration. Former Virginia Governor and United States Senator Charles S. Robb is among the notable graduates.

Erected 2016 by The Fairfax County History Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Fairfax County History Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1940.

Location. 38° 43.918′ N, 77° 6.12′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Mount Vernon. It is at the intersection of Richmond Highway (U.S. 1) and Gregory Drive, on the right when traveling north on Richmond Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8333 Richmond Highway, Alexandria VA 22309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Peake Family Cemetery (approx. one mile away); US Route 1 Wall of Aviation (approx. one mile away); Bethlehem Baptist Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); Gum Springs (approx. 1.4 miles away); Soil Improvements (approx. 1½ miles away); Woodlawn Methodist Church (approx. 1½ miles away); Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections (approx. 1½ miles away); a different marker also named Gum Springs (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Also see . . . Original Mount Vernon High School Reuse Project. Fairfax County is looking at future uses for the original Mount Vernon High School property. Website includes Historic Structures Report. (Submitted on January 7, 2017.)

December 27, 2016

2. Original Mount Vernon High School Marker

Original Mount Vernon High School image. Click for full size.

December 27, 2016

3. Original Mount Vernon High School

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2017. This page has been viewed 1,790 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2017. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.