Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, South Cornerstone
District of Columbia
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 21, 2008
1. First Original Federal Boundary Stone Marker
Federal Boundary Stone
District of Columbia
Placed April 15, 1791
Protected by
Mount Vernon Chapter
Daughters of the American
Revolution
April 30, 1926
Erected 1926 by Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Original Federal Boundary Stones series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1791.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 38° 47.421′ N, 77° 2.436′ W. Marker was in Alexandria, Virginia. It was in Old Town. It could be reached from Jones Point Drive east of South Royal Street, on the right when traveling east. It is in Jones Point Park, at the lighthouse.
PLEASE NOTE: The automated Touch for directions link at the end of this paragraph, when used in driving mode, takes you to I-95s Wilson Bridge, where you cannot park, much less stop, and then seems to indicate that you should jump off the bridge and walk to the marker. You will surely break your
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: D.C.'s First Building Block (here, next to this marker); The Nation's Capital Begins Here 1791-1793 (here, next to this marker); Who Owns the River? (a few steps from this marker); Mistress Margaret Brent (within shouting distance of this marker); The Remarkable Margaret Brent (within shouting distance of this marker); The Jones Point Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Long Story of The Jones Point Ropewalk (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mountains of Materials and Massive Manpower (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
More about this marker. Marker is on the Jones Point Lighthouse brick and concrete seawall, set into a concrete slab with a hole in it, for seeing the boundary stone.
This marker was permanently removed after the South Cornerstone
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 21, 2008
2. First Original Federal Boundary Stone Marker
The original maker was supplanted by two-new markers "DC's First Building Block," & "A Nation's Capital Begins Here," already documented in HMDB.
The original marker is in the possession of NPS. This applies to the metal plaque.
Regarding Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, South Cornerstone. The Washington, D.C. South Boundary Stone is in a niche in the seawall at the Jones Point Light. The niche has a locked iron bar door. The best view is standing on the riprap in front of the seawall, but be especially careful if the riprap is wet, as it becomes quite slippery.
This monument was laid by George Washington himself, in full Masonic regalia.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The other 3 corner boundary stones.
Also see . . . Boundary Stones of Washington, D.C. — South. “As documented by Woodward and others, the stone was hidden behind this seawall until June 1912. Because the stone remains in an enclosure in the wall, it still is not possible to view it in its entirety.” (Submitted on June 21, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 21, 2008
3. Boundary Stone Niche in Seawall
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 21, 2008
4. District of Columbia South Boundary Stone
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 21, 2008
5. First Original Federal Boundary Stone Imprisoned in the Seawall
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 21, 2008
6. Jones Point Light
Photographed by Roberto Bernate, September 2, 2018
7. Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, South Cornerstone Marker
Glass & brass viewing enclosure replacing marker 2011-2012.
Photographed by Roberto Bernate, September 2, 2018
8. Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, South Cornerstone Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,510 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on August 15, 2020, by Roberto Bernate of Arlington, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 21, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 7, 8. submitted on October 14, 2019, by Roberto Bernate of Arlington, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
