Historical Markers in Rock Creek Park, District of Columbia
Washington and Vicinity
Washington(2606) ► ADJACENT TO WASHINGTON Montgomery County, Maryland(747) ► Prince George's County, Maryland(644) ► Alexandria, Virginia(378) ► Arlington County, Virginia(461) ► Fairfax County, Virginia(709) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
Near Glover Road Northwest north of Maintenance Road Northwest, on the right when traveling north.
In 2011, the Friends of Peirce Mill partnered with the National Park Service to revive the plantings and install water sustainability features at this garden. These features include two rain gardens, a pervious paver area, and a "downspout . . . — — Map (db m111604) HM
Adams Mill, a flour mill built by Benjamin Stoddert between 1795 and 1799, was one of eight large mills along Rock Creek Park. Originally it was named Columbian Mill in honor of the newly created District of Columbia. The brick mill was 50 × 54 . . . — — Map (db m210141) HM
On Beach Drive Northwest north of Broad Branch Road Northwest, on the left when traveling north. Reported damaged.
This is the site where Blagden and Argyle mills once stood, two of the twenty-six mills that once flourished along Rock Creek. If you look close, you can still see part of the millrace and the mill road. The exact date of the construction of these . . . — — Map (db m120438) HM
On Oregon Avenue Northwest north of Military Road Northwest, on the right when traveling north.
Earthworks of Fort De Russy are visible; follow path to your right for 200 yards.
[drawing of fort]
Fort De Russy from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers drawing.
Cannon mounted at Fort De Russy helped repulse a Confederate attack on . . . — — Map (db m235916) HM
Near Oregon Avenue Northwest at Military Road Northwest, on the right when traveling north.
One of the Civil War Defenses of Washington. Constructed on the site in 1861 Fort DeRussy commanded the deep valley of Rock Creek. Its armament consisted of 11 guns and mortars including a 100-pounder Parrott Rifle. — — Map (db m20823) HM
Near Oregon Avenue Northwest at Military Road Northwest, on the right when traveling north.
Built in 1861 to protect the Rock Creek Valley during the Civil War, Fort DeRussy's cannon fired a total of 109 projectiles into the northern countryside as 12,000-15,000 Confederate soldiers attacked the city under the command of Confederate . . . — — Map (db m116084) HM
On Tilden Street Northwest west of Beach Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
Peirce Mill Dam was completed in 1906 to create a scenic waterfall on Rock Creek. Since its construction, the dam has prevented spawning herring and other migratory and resident fish from swimming further upstream. A Denil fishway was installed . . . — — Map (db m70670) HM
On Beach Drive Northwest south of Bingham Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling south.
A natural low area made this portion of Rock Creek a perfect place to ford the creek on foot, horseback or by carriage. Concrete paving was installed at Milkhouse Ford in the early 1900s to accommodate heavy carriages and automobiles. Unless the . . . — — Map (db m116079) HM
On Beach Drive Northwest, 1.1 miles south of Joyce Road Northwest, on the right when traveling south.
This may look like a natural arrangement of rocks but it is really a feat of engineering. Rocks are precisely placed to build a series of boulder step pools that raise the water level making it possible for fish to swim over an active sewer line. . . . — — Map (db m147381) HM
On Beach Drive Northwest, 0.1 miles south of Sherrill Drive Northwest, on the left when traveling south. Reported damaged.
Boulder step pools dot this stretch of creek for an important reason. They were created to provide an essential passageway for migratory fish. Many sewer lines crisscross Rock Creek. Once buried, the pipes have been exposed due to high volumes of . . . — — Map (db m147418) HM
On Rock Creek Trail, 0.2 miles north of Beach Drive Northwest, on the left when traveling north.
The earliest inhabitants of the Rock Creek Valley crossed the creek at this and other natural low spots located along its banks. In the early 1900s several of these fording places were paved with concrete to accommodate automobile traffic. The . . . — — Map (db m210146) HM
On Beach Drive Northwest, 0.3 miles north of Shorham Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling north. Reported damaged.
From the point of this sign, east up the hill to Adams Mill Road, is 1.7 acres of National Zoological Park land that once formed part of the Union Benevolent Association Cemetery. The District of Columbia's Walter Pierce Community Park now occupies . . . — — Map (db m188749) HM
On Western Ridge Trail, on the right when traveling west.
The granite bench before you commemorates the scholarship, wisdom and skilled diplomacy of Jean Jules Jusserand, French Ambassador to the United States from 1902 to 1925. The memorial's inscription, "Personal Tribute of Esteem and . . . — — Map (db m177624) HM
On Williamsburg Lane Northwest north of Porter Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south.
This Pennsylvania Dutch style structure was built in 1823 by Joshua Pierce. The west side was added in 1843. It encloses ten rooms within its three stories. A utility house and potting shed flank the rear.
Joshua was an avid horticulturist, and . . . — — Map (db m70684) HM
On Klingle Road Northwest west of Porter Street Northwest.
Welcome to the Klingle Valley Trail, a place for peaceful public recreation. This 0.7-mile trail is a steady, moderate incline through a small wooded stream valley leading to the rugged and picturesque Rock Creek. This trail is built on the remains . . . — — Map (db m111879) HM
Near Tilden Street Northwest west of Beach Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
Peirce Mill represents the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution in America. For centuries, small water-powered mills had ground grain into flour, using human labor in every step of the process. This 1829 mill, on the other hand, was a mechanized . . . — — Map (db m125275) HM
Near Tilden Street Northwest west of Beach Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
Even in the mill's heyday, the Peirce family ran a diversified farm. They grew vegetables, tended bees, raised livestock for meat and dairy and cultivated fields of wheat, corn, rye, and oats. On this hillside they maintained a substantial . . . — — Map (db m99415) HM
On Spring of Freedom Street Northwest east of Shoemaker Street Northwest, on the left when traveling south.
Welcome to Peirce Mill, a National Park Service site within Rock Creek Park. This land was once part of a large complex of buildings and fields, marking the historical intersection of the agricultural and industrial ages. Explore and enjoy. . . . — — Map (db m114362) HM
Near Williamsburg Lane Northwest north of Porter Street Northwest, on the left when traveling south.
During the 19th century, the majority of the land now known as Rock Creek Park was owned by Isaac Peirce, one of Washington's most prominent land holders and mill owners. It was here that Isaac's son, Joshua Peirce, constructed his home in 1823 on . . . — — Map (db m97976) HM
Near Tilden Street Northwest west of Beach Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
Pierce Plantation 1820-1840Cultivated fields and orchards spread out on the more than 1,200-acre tract above the creek. The spring house, family home, distillery, and flour mill remains as evidence of this large working estate along Rock Creek. . . . — — Map (db m99396) HM
On Piney Branch Parkway Northwest, 0.2 miles west of Arkansas Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
You are standing on what remains of Rock Creek's Piney Branch stream valley. The valley was once a forested, 2,500-acre network of springs, seeps, and wetlands that reached almost to Takoma Park, Maryland. Today, houses, apartment . . . — — Map (db m151242) HM
Near Tilden Street Northwest west of Beach Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
At one time, Rock Creek hosted a large number of flour mills, saw mills, and other industries. The force of the creek's waters, dropping more than 160 feet over 33 miles, gave the mills their power. The region's farms provided abundant raw . . . — — Map (db m80114) HM
On Tilden Street Northwest west of Beach Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
The stone mill was an important part of the Peirce family's business. Like most farms of the 1800s, this was also a diversified and constantly evolving operation. The family managed hundreds of acres devoted to fields, pastures, and orchards. A . . . — — Map (db m79643) HM
On Reservoir Road Northwest east of 44th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east.
Rachel Carson (1907-1964), a renowned writer and scientist who helped launch the modern environmental movement, once walked these woods. In her groundbreaking book, Silent Spring (1962), Carson warned citizens that the widespread use . . . — — Map (db m114367) HM
Near Beach Drive Northwest at Bingham Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling south.
This & neighboring trees were
From all parts of the country
Planted by
Camp Fire Girls
At a National Conservation Rally
April 12, 1936 in memory of
Dr. Luther H. Gulick
First President — — Map (db m65020) HM
Near Beach Drive Northwest, 0.3 miles east of Shoreham Drive Northwest, on the right when traveling east.
Woodley Lane Bridge was constructed in 1888 and represented the latest style in light-weight bridges. Often referred to as the "High" bridge it stood 54 feet above the creek, 450 feet long, 32 feet wide and was supported by two red sandstone . . . — — Map (db m145076) HM
