Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Who Owns the River?

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 7, 2012

1. "Who Owns the River?" Marker

Inscription. According to Lord Baltimore's land grant from King Charles I in 1632, Maryland owns the "River of Pattowmack...unto the further Bank of said River." But with Virginia's shoreline constantly shifting how could the border be fixed? In 1929, a survey to establish the boundary placed 58 markers including this one on Jones Point, helping to resolve almost three centuries of dispute. When Maryland ceded land to create the nation's capital in 1788, the District of Columbia gained ownership of the river within its newly created bounds.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1632.

Location. 38° 47.43′ N, 77° 2.424′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. It can be reached from Jones Point Drive east of South Royal Street, on the right when traveling east. It is along the path east of Jones Point lighthouse.

PLEASE NOTE: The automated “Touch for directions” link at the end of this paragraph, when used in driving mode, takes you to I-95’s 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 neck—among many other bones—if you jump off the bridge.
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Instead, set your destination to “Jones Point Park Parking” in order to obtain driving directions to where you can park and walk to the marker. . Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Jones Point Dr, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: The Nation's Capital Begins Here 1791-1793 (a few steps from this marker); D.C.'s First Building Block (within shouting distance of 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 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Long Story of The Jones Point Ropewalk (about 400 feet away); Mountains of Materials and Massive Manpower (about 600 feet away); A World War I Shipyard Transforms Jones Point (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, South Cornerstone (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 7, 2012

2. "Who Owns the River?" Marker

Virginia Maryland Boundary Commission Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, October 7, 2012

3. Virginia Maryland Boundary Commission Marker

The "Who Owns the River?" marker is visible behind this Boundary marker.

1929 Virginia-Maryland Boundary Commission marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 18, 2007

4. 1929 Virginia-Maryland Boundary Commission marker

This disc points to the current south point of D.C. 42 feet south of this marker in the Potomac.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 983 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 8, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on October 10, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.