DC South Cornerstone - Alexandria, VA - U.S. Benchmarks on Waymarking.com

The plaque says, "In 1791, surveyors on Jones Point began to lay out the ten-mile square that would become Washington, D.C. The first marker for the survey—the south cornerstone—was set in place on this spot. Although the stone within this protective enclosure may be a replacement dating from 1794, it is nonetheless among the oldest existing physical monuments associated with the federal city of Washington, D.C.

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With water levels steadily rising, the cornerstone on Jones Point has long been at the mercy of encroaching Hunting Creek. In 1861, a retaining wall was constructed in front of the stone, creating a raised yard in the lighthouse constructed six years earlier. The stone remained "lost" behind this wall for over five decades. This 1921 photo was taken at a commemorative celebration following its "rediscovery." Image courtesy of the Library of Congress

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In 1916, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) assumed responsibility for maintaining D.C.'s cornerstones and mile markers. In 1926, the DAR purchased the Jones Point lighthouse and later deeded it to the National Park Service (NPS). Today, the DAR and the National Park Service work together to preserve and interpret both the south cornerstone and the adjacent lighthouse. Image courtesy of the Daughters of the American Revolution

The inscription on the south cornerstone, worn by weather and water is now illegible. The other cornerstones are inscribed with the name of the state (Virginia or Maryland), the year, the compass heading, and the phrase 'Jurisdiction of the United States.' Images courtesy of the Library of Congress

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May this stone long commemorate the goodness of God in those uncommon events which have given America a name among nations—
Under this stone may jealousy and selfishness be forever buried!
Commemoration of Cornerstone April 15, 1791"

Condition: Mark found in good condition Designation: -blank- Benchmark Agency: other (not included below) Monumentation type: SECTION CORNER Survey Marker County: Fairfax USGS 7.5' Topographic Quadrangle Name (optional): Alexandria Special category (optional): Not listed Find type: Found by luck/skill/knowledge Benchmark Agency (if other): Not listed Monumentation type (if other): Not listed Special Category (if other): Not listed Web address of this benchmark's datasheet (optional): Not listed NGS PID: Not listed Local database's URL (optional): Not listed

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