Jefferson Manor near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mount Eagle Mansion
George Washington Visited Here Often
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2019
This is the site of the Mount Eagle Mansion, built in 1790 by Bryan Fairfax.
George Washington was a long-time friend of Fairfax. Washington visited here frequently and dined here the last time only a week before he died in 1799.
The Mount Eagle property changed hands many times in the years that followed. In 1918, a new owner greatly expanded the mansion, adding a full second story and two more wings.
In 1936, a group of local businessmen and preservationists purchased Mount Eagle and formed the Lord Fairfax Country Club, but that venture failed within a few years. The last resident owners purchased Mount Eagle in 1941, raised their family here, and continued some farming activities for the next two decades.
The property was sold to developers in 1966, and the mansion, by then deteriorating, was destroyed in 1968. Metro obtained 20 acres of the Mount Eagle property for the Huntington station, and, in 1979, International Developers, Inc. purchased the remaining 35 acres of Mount Eagle for the construction of Montebello.
Erected by Montebello.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the George Washington Slept Here series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.
Location. 38° 47.362′ N, 77° 4.321′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Jefferson Manor. Marker is on Mount Eagle Drive, half a mile west of Richmond Highway (U.S. 1) when traveling west. The marker is on secured private property. Permission must be granted from the front office before accessing the site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5902 Mt Eagle Dr, Alexandria VA 22303, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Parapet and Gun Platforms (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Lyon (approx. 0.3 miles away); Belle Haven Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Willard (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Fort Willard (approx. half a mile away); Defenses of Washington (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Defenses of Washington (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Cameron Valley (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2019
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.