Near Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mansion Site

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, July 17, 2013

1. Mansion Site Marker

Inscription.
Exploratory digs here in 1988 and 1994 uncovered a three brick wide foundation of an extraordinary 17th century home. Measuring 54 feet by 43.5 feet, this huge footing supported a structure described in 1709 as a "...Dwelling House built of brick ... three storeys high besides garrets ... with a handsome Garden and fine Orchard ... Wch House was commonly called Arlington ..."
Despite the Eastern Shore's high water table, Arlington enjoyed a proper English basement - two separate, inter connected cellars (one wet and one dry) with plastered walls, brick paved floors and a vaulted ceiling. Imprints of three chimneys occur on the South and North walls.

The extant foundation is marked with posts at each corner to indicate the size.

Erected by Arlington Foundation, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1655.

Location. 37° 13.727′ N, 76° 0.198′ W. Marker is near Cape Charles, Virginia, in Northampton County. Marker can be reached from Arlington Chase Road north of Custis Tomb Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Charles VA 23310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies

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. Bacon's Rebellion (here, next to this marker); Indians (here, next to this marker); Slavery on the Eastern Shore (here, next to this marker); The Custis Tombs (within shouting distance of this marker); Elijah Baker (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Elijah Baker (approx. 2.1 miles away); Cape Charles Colored School (approx. 2.4 miles away); Cape Charles (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Charles.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . . The Original Arlington. Ghotes of Vitgonoa website entry:
Excellent photos of original archeological dig (Submitted on October 16, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1.
This and the other three markers are in obvious disrepair. I visited this site in 2013, but am only just now posting. I hope they are in better shape now.

— Submitted October 16, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, July 17, 2013

2. Mansion Site Marker

See link provided on this page for a legible version of a similar image

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, July 17, 2013

3. Mansion Site Marker

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, July 17, 2013

4. Mansion Site Marker

Mansion Site marker in foreground. Three-of-four corner posts visible. (Three other related markers are also onsite.)

Mansion Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox

5. Mansion Site

This is a wide view of the Mansion Site with all four corner posts visible. The back of the Mansion Site marker is visible in the right of the frame.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 486 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 16, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.