Government Island - Stafford County VA
N 38° 26.817 W 077° 23.294
18S E 291584 N 4258108
A quarry on Aquia Creek provided the sandstone for many structures and buildings in colonial America, including the U.S. Capitol and the White House.
Waymark Code: WMA3T9
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 11/12/2010
Views: 8
Government Island was the site of a quarry of sandstone or freestone that was used to build churches, homes, bridges, and tombstones in colonial times. Originally owned by the Brent family, some of the first settlers in VA, the island was purchased in 1791 by Pierre L'Enfant at the direction of George Washington to provide stone for the building of the nation's capital. It was used for the construction of the U.S. Capitol and the White House.
Other historic buildings that used the sandstone include Aquia Church in Stafford, Gunston Hall in Lorton, and Christ Church in Alexandria. George Washington even built the steps and walkways at Mount Vernon with it.
Through a series of ownerships, Stafford County eventually acquired the property in 1998. According to a news release at stafford.va.us and tourstaffordva.com, Government Island (also referred to as Wiggington's Island, Brent Island, Aquia Quarry, Public Quarry, and Aquia Sandstone Quarry) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, although the NRHP lists it as being added in 2003.
This historic island was officially opened to the public on November 6, 2010. A natural-surface loop trail leads to quarry sites that show chisel marks and trenches that were hand-carved through vertical cliffs of stone. There are foundations indicating other structures once stood here. The island is accessed via a paved path and boardwalk. Government Island, surrounded by marshland, is also a great place to observe birds, wildlife, and aquatic plants.
(Please note that at the time of this listing, there were no interpretive signs or historic markers in place, although they are planned for the future.)
For more information on park guidelines and directions, go here.
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