Donaldson Run in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Birchwood

Photographed by Kevin Vincent, June 17, 2012

1. Birchwood Marker

Inscription. Caleb Birch, a farmer and constable, built a log house here around 1800 on land granted to his grandfather, James Robertson, by Lord Fairfax in 1724. The original house burned and was rebuilt about 1836. A second log cabin was added ten years later. The two cabins, although separate, had a common roof, forming what was known as a “dog trot” house. Later President Theodore Roosevelt rode horseback in this area with his friend and White House physician, Rear Admiral Presley M. Rixey, on whose estate Birchwood stood. Rixey’s valet, Richard Wallace, lived at Birchwood, and Roosevelt visited Wallace here. In 1936, Birchwood was reconstructed using the original logs.

Erected by Arlington County, Virginia.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.

Location. 38° 54.36′ N, 77° 7.36′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Donaldson Run. It is at the intersection of 26th Street N and North Wakefield Street, on the right when traveling north on 26th Street N. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4572 26th Street N, Arlington VA 22207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wunder's Crossroads (approx. half a mile away); Stratford Junior High School (approx. 0.7 miles away); Taking Action: Dorothy M. Bigelow Hamm (approx. 0.7 miles away); Taking Action: Barbara Johns (approx. ¾ mile away); Take Action! (approx. ¾ mile away); Taking Action: E. Leslie Hamm, Jr. (approx. ¾ mile away); Taking Action: Michael Jones, Gloria Thompson, Ronald Deskins, Lance Newman (approx. ¾ mile away); Mt. Salvation Baptist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Photographed by Kevin Vincent, June 17, 2012

2. Birchwood

Photographed by Kevin Vincent, June 17, 2012

3. Birchwood

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2012, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,251 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2012, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.