
Abington Plantation "The Ages of Abington"
Posted by:
garmin_geek
N 38° 51.100 W 077° 02.641
18S E 322627 N 4302301
Located in the middle of the National Airport, Alexandria, VA
Waymark Code: WMA1XP
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 11/03/2010
Views: 36
"The land that Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport occupies today was once part of a plantation. This hill and the ruins on it are all that remain of the house that stood here for nearly 190 years.
Abington, as this tract of land on the Potomac River was called, witnessed sweeping historical changes. The land was owned for many years by the Alexander family, for whom Alexandria, Virginia was named. John Parke Custis, George Washington’s adopted stepson, moved his family to Abington in 1778. Though the Custis family, Abington is associated with families of the Virginia plantations of Mount Vernon, Stratford Hall, Kenmore, Woodlawn and Arlington.
Abington survived Union occupation during the Civil War and the end of plantation life. However, encroachment of industry finally took its toll on Abington, which fell into disrepair until it burned in 1930. Eight years later, the land was chosen as the site of an airport designed to serve the nation’s Capital. As national Airport evolved, the ruins of the plantation house remain preserved on this hill as a testament to the rich history of this land.”
Group that erected the marker: Mount Vernon Ladies Association
 URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
 Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: National Airport Alexandria, VA USA

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