Northwest No. 3 Boundary Marker of the Original District of Columbia
Also known as: NW3,Jurisdiction Stone; DHR File No. 00-22
Why it's listed
Set in a private backyard on North Tazewell Street in Arlington, this Aquia sandstone marker is one of the original boundary stones of the District of Columbia, placed in 1791-1792. It marks the third mile on the northwest side, measured from the West Cornerstone. Its inscription reads "3 Miles & 14p," meaning three miles and fourteen poles. It was the last stone set in Virginia, placed slightly beyond its mile distance because higher, firmer ground offered a more permanent site. The stone is said to have been broken off its base by a Union Army wagon during the Civil War. The broken part lay twenty to thirty feet from the buried base, and surveyors working on water power at Little Falls found the stump in 1894. A bronze plaque placed by the Arlington House Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution identifies the stone, and a wrought iron fence encloses it. It is significant as part of a rare surviving group of markers tied to the planning of the federal city.
Significance in brief: The marker shows the third mile on the northwest side of the District, measured from the West Cornerstone. It was the third stone in Virginia placed at other than equal miles from the others and the last one set in Virginia. It is one of a rare group of surviving markers and is linked 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 91000005, listed February 1, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 4013 N. Tazewell St., Arlington |
|---|---|
| County | Fairfax (city and county) |
| Listed | February 1, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000005 |
| 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) | Stands within a wrought iron fence with a bronze plaque in a private backyard; the stone was found broken at its base and later recovered. Criteria Consideration B applies because the marker has been relocated. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.92476, -77.13282 (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 91000005.
- 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.