Southwest No. 1 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia
Also known as: SW1,Jurisdiction Stone; DHR File No. 00-22
Why it's listed
Southwest No. 1 is a small sandstone marker beside the sidewalk at Wilkes and South Payne streets in Alexandria, Virginia. Cut from Aquia sandstone and placed in 1791-1792, it was the first mile marker on the southwest side of the original District of Columbia, one mile from the South Cornerstone at Jones Point. Around 1904 the stone was dug up and carried about 225 feet from its proper spot, and by 1906 it lay on the ground. It was later set upright but rotated, so the Jurisdiction side no longer faces the District. Its lettering is smaller and shallower than on other stones, suggesting a different carver. A wrought-iron fence and a bronze plaque placed in 1916 by the Daughters of the American Revolution protect it. The stone is in the best condition of any on the Virginia side. It was listed for its role in the early development of the Federal city, with its relocation treated as an exception.
Significance in brief: It marked the first mile on the southwest side of the District of Columbia, one mile from the South Cornerstone at Jones Point. It is in the best condition of any of the stones on the Virginia side. Because it was moved from its original position, it was considered under Criteria Consideration B and judged exceptional as part of a rare group of surviving markers.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 91000006, listed February 1, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1220 Wilkes St., Alexandria (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Alexandria |
| Listed | February 1, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000006 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1791-1916 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The stone is complete with little deterioration. The iron fence is in excellent condition, though the grounds inside the enclosure are unkempt. The Mount Vernon Chapter of the DAR is its steward. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.80335, -77.05711 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 91000006.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.