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

Belvoir

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 13, 2008

1. Belvoir Marker

Inscription. Belvoir, meaning "beautiful to see," was built about 1741 for William Fairfax, land agent for his cousin Thomas, sixth baron Fairfax of Cameron and Northern Neck proprietor. George Washington was introduced to Belvoir and its gentry culture while in his mid-teens, during stays at Mount Vernon with his half-brother Lawrence, who married William Fairfax's daughter Anne. After the house burned in 1783, Washington wrote to George Fairfax that "the happiest moments of my life had been spent there" at Belvoir. Sept. 1814, British vessels shelled the walls of the house. The U.S. War Department acquired the tract in 1912 for a military camp.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-60.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1741.

Location. 38° 42.667′ N, 77° 8.629′ W. Marker is in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is at the intersection of Richmond Highway (U.S. 1) and Belvoir Road, on the right when traveling east on Richmond Highway. Located at Pence Gate for Fort Belvoir. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 Belvoir Rd, Fort Belvoir VA 22060, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Belvoir (here, next to this marker); Alexandria, Mt. Vernon, and Accotink Turnpike (a few steps from this marker); Woodlawn Quaker Meetinghouse (approx. ¼ mile away); The Woodlawn Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); Brown Barracks (approx. half a mile away); Potomac Connections (approx. half a mile away); Necessary (approx. half a mile away); Dairy (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Belvoir.

State Markers near Pence Gate, Fort Belvoir image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain

2. State Markers near Pence Gate, Fort Belvoir

Foundation Remains of Belvoir image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 17, 2010

3. Foundation Remains of Belvoir

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,692 times since then and 136 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on June 20, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.