Public Quarry at Government Island
Public Quarry at Government Island, Historic sandstone quarry in Stafford County, Virginia, United States.
The Public Quarry at Government Island extends across 17 acres and contains five quarry sites with remnants of Aquia Creek sandstone formations.
George Washington commissioned Pierre Charles L'Enfant to purchase this site in 1791 for extracting building materials for the federal capital construction.
The sandstone from this quarry forms the foundations of important federal structures including the United States Capitol and the White House.
The park features 1.5 miles of trails with elevated wooden boardwalks through marshlands, with sections designed for wheelchair accessibility.
Stone cutters left visible marks in the rocks, including the initials of Robert Steuart who owned a one-acre section of the property.
Location: Virginia
Website: https://tourstaffordva.com/things-to-do/details/government-island
GPS coordinates: 38.44830,-77.38330
Latest update: March 9, 2025 12:27
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