Public Quarry at Government Island facts for kids
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Public Quarry at Government Island
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Stafford County, Virginia |
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| Nearest city | Stafford, Virginia |
| Area | 17.4 acres (7.0 ha) |
| Built | 1791 |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000457 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 30, 2007 |
The Public Quarry at Government Island is a special place in Stafford County, Virginia. It was once the main source of a unique building stone called Aquia Creek sandstone. This stone was used to build many important government buildings in Washington, D.C.. Can you guess which ones? They include the famous U.S. Capitol and the White House!
This quarry started a long time ago, even before the United States was fully formed. It was first opened by George Brent after 1694. Back then, it was known as Wigginton's Island.
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What is Government Island Quarry?
The Public Quarry at Government Island is a historic site. It's where workers dug out large blocks of sandstone. This sandstone was very important for building in the early days of the United States. It helped create some of the most famous buildings in the country.
How Was the Stone Used?
Before it became "Government Island," the quarry provided stone for many local buildings. This included tombstones, houses, and churches in northern Virginia. Some famous places that used this stone are Gunston Hall, Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and Aquia Church. Even George Washington used it for steps and walkways at his home, Mount Vernon.
Building Washington, D.C.
When it was time to build the new capital city, Washington, D.C., George Washington chose Aquia sandstone. He wanted it to be the main material for the government buildings. In 1791, the government bought the quarry. Pierre Charles L'Enfant, a famous architect, helped with this purchase. After that, the quarry became known as Government Island.
Why Did the Quarry Close?
Over time, people noticed that Aquia sandstone could wear down in bad weather. Because of this, its use started to decline. After the U.S. Civil War, the quarry was no longer used. It became old and forgotten. The U.S. Government eventually sold the property in 1963.
Government Island Today
Today, Government Island has a new purpose! Stafford County bought the property and turned it into a county park. It opened to the public on November 6, 2010.
Exploring the Park
The park has 1.5 miles of trails for visitors to explore. There are markers along the trails that tell you about the island's history. Part of the park even has an elevated wooden boardwalk. This boardwalk goes through marsh and wetlands, and it's easy for everyone to use. Government Island is also a special stop on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. In 2007, it was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site!
