The Fairfax Stone is a surveyor’s marker to note the boundary between Maryland and West Virginia.
Originally used in the 1700s to settle a dispute over land in the English colonies of Maryland and Virginia, this stone is one of the oldest markers in the United States.
According to this historical account, “over the years, the stone has been changed out for various reasons. The current Fairfax Stone, the fifth, was dedicated as a state historic monument and became part of the West Virginia State Park system in 1957 when the Western Maryland Railroad gave four acres of land surrounding the stone to the state. In 1970, the stone was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.”
The marker itself reads:
“This monument at the headspring of the Potomac River marks one of the historic spots of America. It’s name is derived from Thomas Lord Fairfax who owned all the land lying between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers. The first Fairfax stone marked “FX”, was set in 1746 by Thomas Lewis a surveyor employed by Lord Fairfax. This is the base point for the Western dividing line between Maryland and West Virginia.”
The Fairfax Stone marker is within a four-acre West Virginia State Park where no overnight accommodations are available.
