Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Bethesda in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

The District of Columbia Boundary Stones

[Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Northwest 6]

 
 
The District of Columbia Boundary Stones Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 18, 2019
1. The District of Columbia Boundary Stones Marker
Inscription. In 1790, Congress authorized the establishment of a territory 10 miles square on the Potomac River to be the Capital of the United States. It was President Washington's recommendation to use land on both sides of the river. Surveyor Andrew Ellicott, notified in 1791 to proceed with designating the Federal Boundary by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, hired astronomer Benjamin Banneker, a free black man. Together they established the location of 40 sandstone markers set at one mile intervals on land ceded by Maryland and Virginia for the Nation's Capital. Virginia reclaimed her lands in 1846. The stone in this park, set in 1792 at the time of the Maryland Boundary Survey, is Northwest Number 6. Establishing the location at six miles north of the West Corner Stone. The Boundary Stones are considered the first monuments erected by the United States.
 
Erected by Montgomery County Park Commission, Department of Parks.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansGovernment & PoliticsPolitical Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Original Federal Boundary Stones series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.
 
Location.
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
38° 57.295′ N, 77° 5.613′ W. Marker is in Bethesda, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Western Avenue east of Park Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4957 Western Avenue, Washington DC 20016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Bayard (approx. 0.2 miles away in District of Columbia); The Washington and Glen Echo Railroad (approx. half a mile away); Early Commerce (approx. half a mile away in District of Columbia); Early Inhabitants (approx. 0.6 miles away in District of Columbia); Harry Country (approx. 0.6 miles away in District of Columbia); "Oh, It's You, Welcome!" (approx. 0.7 miles away); Set in Stone (approx. 0.7 miles away in District of Columbia); Churches and Cemeteries (approx. 0.7 miles away in District of Columbia).
 
Additional commentary.
1. About the marker
The title used is the one verbatim from the marker. In addition, the secondary title, naming the specific marker has been added.
    — Submitted April 9, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
 
The District of Columbia Boundary Stones Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 18, 2019
2. The District of Columbia Boundary Stones Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on August 15, 2020, by Roberto Bernate of Arlington, Virginia. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=154770

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 28, 2024