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.
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.)
Location. 38° 42.667′ N, 77° 8.629′ W. Marker is in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker 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.
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 1,240 times since then and 26 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.
