Spotlighting DC Boundary Stones in Virginia
International Day For Monuments and Sites (April 18, 2024) #spotlightcache
Today we are spotlighting geocaches placed along the DC Boundary Stones in Virginia. They are listed in this article from north to south.
The country’s first federal monuments were stone markers placed in 1791 on the original boundary of the new capital city. These boundary stones were the brainchild of George Washington to mark out the border. There were originally 40 markers, one for each mile of the 10 x 10-mile diamond plat of land. As you go through these geocache pages, you’ll learn a little more about the unique history of these federal markers, as many of these cache owners have really done their homework.
DC Cornerstone (GC6781)
The most northern of Virginia’s boundary stones that is accessible to the public, “DC Cornerstone” is one of the four cornerstones. When you are in this little pocket park in Falls Church, you will be in what was once the westernmost point of the DC. This geocache by pkpaul is a Virtual cache, which means there is nothing to find, but I still encourage you to get out of your car and check out the marker. This cache has over 100 favorite points.
This is the West Corner stage of the Four Corners and a Center Adventure Lab also.
SW 9 Boundary (GC4AJV0)
Another pocket park in Falls Church is where you’ll find boundary stone SW9. Here you can solve the simple puzzle cache, “SW 9 Boundary” by seadog129. Check out the monument, make the nearby find, and maybe have a little picnic at the park’s tables.
Southwest 8 Boundary Stone (GC8WQJZ)
Switching gears from the history of our nation’s capital to a lesson in geology, “Southwest 8 Boundary Stone” is an Earth cache by TheWanderesss. Again, you won’t be looking for a container to log this find, but you will learn where these federal marker stones were quarried. This cache was nominated for NOVAGO’s 2020 Best EarthCache Award.
Bailey’s Crossroads History Adventure Lab
Take a tour of Bailey’s Crossroads to find the next boundary stone.
BOUNDARY STONE OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (GC7D3JA) – ARCHIVED CACHE
Although it is now archived, I’ve included this cache in the article for anyone who would like to visit it. SW5 boundary stone has been broken for at least a century and probably isn’t in its original spot, but like the others, it remains a curiosity and something to check out the next time you’re in Bailey’s Crossroads. Maybe this article will inspire someone to put out a new one.
A Corner of DC (GC1J1HT)
A multi-stage geocache from 2008, A Corner of DC will take you to boundary marker SW3. Just off King Street and in the parking lot of a church, you will be asked to gather some information that can easily be turned into final coordinates. A short walk to the final will get you the geocache container. There are a couple of geocaches in the park just uphill from the church that you might want to get while you are there, too.
SW2 Boundary Stone Letterbox: Retrocession (GCA9N87)
One of the newest geocaches on this list, SW2 Boundary Stone Letterbox: Retrocession by sedor18, was nominated for NoVAGO’s 2023 Geocache Award in the category of Best Historical/Educational Cache. It is easy to tell why it made it to the finals. This letterbox hybrid-style geocache will make the finder hit the books and learn a little history before they can get the final coordinates. Congratulations on being nominated!
By the way, while you’re here, take a look at the next cache on the list.
The Fake Boundary Stone (GCA9KZ6)
Another new cache by sedor18, The Fake Boundary Stone is also a nominee for NoVAGO’s 2023 Geocache Award in the category of Best Historical/Educational Cache. You’ll get another history lesson about this fake marker. They really did their research and left lots of rabbit holes for you to fall down. The reward for making your waypoint projections is a steep climb up King St. (or drive like I did).
The Boundary Stone (GC7XXA2)
The Boundary Stone is a multi-stage geocache by flyingmoose. It is also the southernmost corner of the original DC boundary. This stone is unique from the others in that it is the “beginning of the Territory of Columbia” meaning that it was the first one laid down by Benjamin Banneker. Banneker was an astronomer and surveyor. He supposedly looked up at the stars from this point and used astronomical observations and calculations to start marking out the rest of DC’s new boundary markers. This is the oldest federal monument.
To complete this multi-stage cache, you’ll be exploring Jones Point Park a bit. You may want to do the Jones Point Park Adventure Lab at the same time. This is the South Corner stage of the Four Corners and a Center Adventure Lab also.