Boundary Stones Committee
Endorsed April 1915

Mile markers of the original Boundary of the District of Columbia

History of the Original Boundary of the District of Columbia

In 1791, after years of controversy and debate over the location of the permanent Seat of Government, President Washington issued a proclamation giving the exact boundaries of the "district for the permanent seat of government."  By late June of 1791 of that year, all of the landowners had signed the necessary deeds.

The mile markers of the original boundary of the District of Columbia were put in place from 1791 - 1792 by Andrew Ellicott.  The south corner stone was ceremoniously laid at Jones' Point on April 15, 1791. Larger stones are laid at the North, South, East and West corners of the original ten-mile square.

In 1846, the Federal Government returned to the state of Virginia the thirty-three square miles of land to Virginia the State had ceded to the Federal Government in 1789. Fourteen markers, or boundary stones, are still located in Northern Virginia, and twenty-six are located along the D.C. - Maryland boundary.

There has been a gradual deterioration of these historic boundary markers due to neglect and a lack of concern.  Many of these stones have been buried or destroyed. 

D.C.DAR's Contribution

On April 7, 1915, The DAR Committee on Preservation of Historic Spots and Records (for the District of Columbia) selected the reclaiming of the boundary stones as their project for the year.  The committee passed a resolution which later was endorsed by the State Regent and adopted by the state:

"That the D.C.DAR take up for part of their patriotic work for the year, the preservation and protection of the old boundary stones on which are recorded the oldest records of the District, by placing an iron fence around each stone, to be done by Chapter or individually."

Today the D.C.DAR continues to preserve these historical monuments and create public awareness of their importance.

On Sunday, October 14, 2001, a number of D.C.DAR members attended the formal dedication of Andrew Ellicott Park at the West Cornerstone in Falls Church.  The event was co-sponsored by the Arlington Bicentennial Celebration Task Force, the Arlington County Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board, the City of Falls Church, Fairfax County, and the Nation's Capital Boundary Stones Committee.

On Saturday, October 20, the chairman spoke before the Historical Society of Washington on the 90+ year D.C.DAR involvement with the stones.

Current Chapter Stewardship Responsibilities

NORTH STONE:  Margaret Whetten Chapter4/1/02 - Condition Report

Northeast 6:

Northeast 7: Katherine Montgomery Chapter

Northeast 8:

EAST STONE:

Southeast 2:  Emily Nelson Chapter Nelson Chapter

Southeast 5:

Southeast 7:

Southeast 8: Monticello Chapter

Southeast 9:

SOUTH STONE:

Southwest 3: Colonel John Washington - Katherine Montgomery Chapter John Washington Chapter

Southwest 4: D.C.DAR and Fairlington Historical Association

Southwest 5: D.C. Children of the American Revolution - Condition Report
11/14/04 - UPCOMING VISIT!

WEST STONE:

Northwest 4: Dolley Madison Chapter

Northwest 5: Dolley Madison Chapter

Northwest 6: Mary Desha Chapter

Northwest 7: Judge Lynn Chapter Lynn Chapter

Northwest 9: Margaret Whetten Chapter

Condition Reports

As the Boundary Stones are visited by the chapters, they are asked to provide a condition report on the shape of their stone.

On November 9, 2003 - members of the District of Columbia Children of the American Revolution performed a clean-up of the site surrounding the Southwest 5 Boundary Stone.  Members ranging in age from 10 to 16 brought rakes, clippers, shovels, saws, paint and brushes and went to work.  After several hours and many trash bags later, the area between the sidewalk and the stone was cleared of overgrown brush, dead branches, overhanging vines and trash.  The children then scraped and painted the fence surrounding the stone.  The stone itself is about 8" out of the ground, and very little of the original markings are visible. 

On April 1, 2002, members of the American Flag chapter (now Margaret Whetten Chapter) visited the North Boundary Stone of the District of Columbia.  The stone sits just off East-West Highway in Chevy Chase, Maryland. 

Members located the stone, and found it in rather good condition. Part of the original markings were still visible. It seemed that either the stone had sunken into the ground, or that dirt had built up around.  Since the stone is located at the bottom of a hill, it is possible that runoff and erosion from the hill may have surrounded the stone, burying it further.  Only the top 6-8" of the stone is visible now.

There is an iron fence surrounding the stone, which is in good shape, considering its age.  However the original plaque placed on the fence is badly weathered, and very hard to read.  The inscription indicates that the Maryland DAR erected the fence and dedicated the stone around 1918.

The Chapter is considering replacing the plaque, and perhaps planting flowers or bulbs around the fence to draw attention to it.  We are honored to have responsibility for this piece of D.C. History.

See Also:  Boundary Stone Locations