Capitol Hill in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Marine Barracks
Washington, D.C.
— "Oldest Post of the Corps" —
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 5, 2008
1. Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. Marker
President Thomas Jefferson
and
Lieutenant Colonel Commandant William Ward Burrows
on 31 March 1801.
A National Capital Landmark
and entered in the
National Register of Historic Places
Erected by United States Marine Corps.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1801.
Location. 38° 52.776′ N, 76° 59.687′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Capitol Hill. Marker is on 8th Street Southeast north of I Street Southeast, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at the Barracks' main entrance, on the gate post opposite the National Historic Landmark marker, a few yards north of the famous intersection of "Eighth and Eye". Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20390, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Strike Up the Band (within shouting distance of this marker); Change and Renewal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oldest Post of the Corps (about 700
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Buried Treasure at Eighth and Eye. In August 1814, as the British Army approached Washington, two sergeants of the detachment at Marine Headquarters (then located at the Marine Barracks) were, so the story goes, charged with the safety of a chest containing a considerable amount of Marine Corps funds. The Marines were supposed to have buried the chest on the grounds of the barracks or to have hidden it within the walls of the Commandant's House. They then rejoined their comrades on the battlefield of Bladensburg where they were killed in the fighting, taking the secret of the money's location with them to the grave.
In another version of this story, the two NCO's were killed in a rugged floor-to-floor defense of the Commandant's House when the British invaders reached
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 5, 2008
2. U.S. Marine Corps Barracks and Commandant's House
Entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and subsequently designated a National Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior in 1976.
2. USMC Barracks during the Civil War. (Submitted on November 9, 2011, by Steven Berkowitz of Annnandale, Virginia.)
3. Wikipedia entry for the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. (Submitted on August 6, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. Commandant's House
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 5, 2008
3. Main Gate, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 5, 2008
4. "Barracks Row," 8th Street, SE
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,472 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on August 29, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 6, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
