West Cornerstone
Also known as: West,Jurisdiction Stone; DHR File No. 00-22
Why it's listed
Set in a small fenced park beside Meridian Street in Falls Church, this Aquia sandstone marker once fixed the west corner of the original District of Columbia. It sits about ten miles from the South Cornerstone at Jones Point, though a later measurement put the distance at 10 miles and 230.6 feet. The stone is only two feet high, the size of the intermediate markers rather than the three-foot size intended for cornerstones. Its "Jurisdiction of the United States" inscription runs horizontally around two sides, and it is the only stone marked this way. The nomination suggests it was mixed up with Southeast #3 in 1791. Grooves on top show the corner point. The park was bought jointly in 1956 by Falls Church, Arlington County and Fairfax County. A brown iron fence and two bronze plaques mark the site, which was rededicated in 1989. It was listed for its link to the creation of the Federal city.
Significance in brief: It marked the west corner of the District of Columbia, about ten miles from the South Cornerstone at Jones Point, and is the second cornerstone located in Virginia. It is unusual among the markers for its small size and horizontal inscriptions on two sides. It is part of a rare surviving group of boundary markers tied to the development of the Federal city.
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 91000014, listed February 1, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W side Meridian St., S of jct. with Williamsburg Blvd., Falls Church |
|---|---|
| County | Arlington County |
| Listed | February 1, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000014 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1791-1940 |
| 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 worn on its northwest and southwest sides, and the iron fence around it was described as in excellent condition after a 1989 rededication. The marker has been relocated, so Criteria Consideration B applies. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.89276, -77.17233 (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 91000014.
- 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.