Stafford in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Site Selection
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Architectural Features
Photographed by Kevin W., November 27, 2010
1. Site Selection Marker
L'Enfant selected Brent's Island for its bountiful supply of good-quality freestone, proximity to the capital city, and accessibility for water-transit.
On December 2, 1791, L'Enfant purchased the quarry for the federal government. Thereafter, the site was known as The Public Quarry. Today, the site is commonly known as Government Island.
The Commissioners also contracted with other nearby, private quarry owners to supply additional building material. The use of these quarries, in addition to Government Island, helped to further establish quarrying as an important industry in Stafford County.
In 1791, L'Enfant wrote to his assistant, stating, "...repair immediately to Aquia Creek to see the qurries [sic] there belonging to the public - to have barracks erected upon theron for twenty men on each of these quarries, on the island purchased from Mr. George Brent...."
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Approximately two miles northwest of this site stands Aquia Episcopal Church (1751-1757), which has freestone architectural components, including keystones, quoins, and pediments. Aquia sandstone was used in other prominent Virginia buildings, such as Kenmore in Fredericksburg (ca. 1772), Gunston Hallat Mason Neck (1755-1760), and Christ Church in Alexandria (1767-1773).
Erected 2010 by Tourism and Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities, Stafford County, Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources. A significant historical date for this entry is December 2, 1791.
Location. 38° 26.967′ N, 77° 22.875′ W. Marker is in Stafford, Virginia, in Stafford County. It can be reached from Coal Landing Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stafford VA 22554, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. 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. At least 8 other markers are
Photographed by Kevin W., November 27, 2010
2. Architectural Features Marker
Regarding Site Selection / Architectural Features. There are two pictures on the "Site Selection" Marker. One is a portrait of L'Enfant painted by Bryan Leister and provided by the Historical Society of Washington D.C. The other is an overhead view of Government Island, looking south down Aquia Creek, toward the Potomac River.
There are four pictures on the Architectural Features marker. The color picture features a picture of Aquia Episcopal Church, where the Keystones and Pediment are made from Aquia sandstone. On the right of the marker are three pictures. The top picture is of a fanlight, on the North Portico of the White House. The middle picture is of a Tobacco capital in the Small Senate Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. The bottom picture is of a Freestone grave marker at Aquia Episcopal Church cemetery.
Photographed by Kevin W., November 27, 2010
3. Site Selection / Architectural Features Markers
Vies is to the north, with Aquia Creek in the background.
Photographed by Kevin W., November 27, 2010
4. Architectural Features Marker
Government Island is behind the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2011, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 845 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 17, 2011, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
