McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Salona

Photographed by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

1. Salona Marker

Inscription. Salona was built on part of the 1719 Thomas Lee 2,862 acre grant known as Langley. During the War of 1812, the estate's owner, the Rev. William Maffitt, reputedly gave refuge to President James Madison as the British burned Washington. Civil War Camp Griffin occupied Salona, then owned by Jacob Smoot, through the winter of 1861/62, the house serving as headquarters for Union General William "Baldy" Smith. A working farm until the Smoot family began selling acreage in 1947, Salona was purchased in stages by Clive and Susan Duval beginning in 1953. The Duval family later arranged for the preservation of the house and property.

Erected 2010 by Fairfax County History Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • War of 1812 • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #04 James Madison, and the Virginia, Fairfax County History Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1719.

Location. 38° 56.424′ N, 77° 10.573′ W. Marker is in McLean, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is on Dolley

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Madison Blvd. (Virginia Route 123), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1235 Dolley Madison Blvd, Mc Lean VA 22101, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Benvenue (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); McLean (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Laughlin Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); McLean Volunteer Firehouse (approx. half a mile away); Clemyjontri (approx. 1.1 miles away); Robert Gunnell and Gunnell's Chapel (approx. 1.1 miles away); Battle of Lewinsville

Salona marker, Salona property in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

2. Salona marker, Salona property in background

Photo taken from Rt. 123.

(approx. 1.2 miles away); Langley Fork (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McLean.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Battle of Lewinsville (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. The marker is located on public land next to the Salona property, right around the corner from the intersection of Buchanan Street and Rt. 123. The private residence is currently obscured by trees.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Salona Preservation Efforts. Information on Fairfax County's preservation efforts, and background information on Salona. (Submitted on August 1, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia.)

2. Camp Griffin. Additional information on Salona, Camp Griffin, and the Civil War camps around the McLean area. (Submitted on August 1, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia.)

3. Letters from Camp Griffin. St. Mary's College in California has an on-line collection of letters from a private stationed

A front view of the Salona house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

3. A front view of the Salona house

The Salona house sits on private property and cannot be easily viewed from the street.

at Camp Griffin. (Submitted on August 1, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia.)

Marker on the origin of the Salona house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

4. Marker on the origin of the Salona house

This marker is affixed to the front of the Salona house, near the entrance way.

Back of the Salona house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

5. Back of the Salona house

Rock and marker on the path to the Salona house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

6. Rock and marker on the path to the Salona house

Another marker commemorating Madison's stay image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

7. Another marker commemorating Madison's stay

This marker is affixed to the front of the house, near the entrance-way.

Property just behind the Salona house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr.

8. Property just behind the Salona house

Vermont regiments encamped on the land around the Salona house.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,837 times since then and 161 times this year. Last updated on May 24, 2013, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 1, 2010, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.