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This park's history is written in stone
November 2, 2010 12:35 am
BY JONAS BEALS
As a park and natural area, Government Island will mean a great deal to Stafford County residents. As a historical site, it will be important to the entire country.
Government Island Park opens to the public on Saturday. A paved path and boardwalk provide access to perhaps the most notable quarry in the United States. Both the White House and the U.S. Capitol were built with the fine-grained Aquia sandstone that is unique to the island.
After 20 years of prodding from local historian Jane Conner, the county purchased the 17-acre island for $200,000 in 1998. She is the de facto expert on Government Island and always hoped it would be open and accessible to the public.
"I always thought this would be so wonderful to share with the nation," she said. "It's a dream come true."
Conner led a media tour of the park yesterday, five days before it officially opens to the public.
Stafford County has a number of activities planned to commemorate the opening Saturday. Aquia Church off U.S. 1, which was built with Aquia sandstone, will be open for tours. Historians and re-enactors will be at the church to help people understand how the stone was quarried, transported and carved.
Although a 12-car parking lot is almost complete at the trail head off Coal Landing Road, it will not be open for parking on Saturday. Shuttles will carry people from Aquia Church to the trail.
Government Island is on Aquia Creek, just south of the Aquia Harbour subdivision. Conner moved into the neighborhood in 1978 and became curious about the vacant island. She decided to research it, and uncovered an trove of immovable artifacts--giant slabs of stone that positioned Government Island at the root of American architecture.
Forty-foot tall rock walls clearly show how the Aquia stone was quarried. Countless pick marks in the walls reveal the effort of slaves who worked to break the giant slabs free, drag them to the water's edge and load them on barges in Aquia Creek.
Although the island is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, its history extends far beyond our nation's founding. Stone tools found on the site indicate that Native Americans inhabited the island 10,000 years ago.
Natural beauty abounds on the island. Stunning views stretch out over marshland, Aquia Creek and Austin Run. Bald eagles and herons occasionally swoop by. And it is an ideal place to enjoy the fall colors.
The trail, including the loop around the island, is about 1.5 miles long. It is part of the National Park Service's Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail system.
"Government Island is a significant resource for our citizens in its unique natural features, and also in its educational value," Stafford Supervisor Paul Milde said.
Even though the park isn't yet open, there's nothing to stop people such as Stafford resident Shelly Meares from walking the trails. She vowed yesterday that it would be a daily routine for her and her dog, Millie.
Pam Zell and her daughter Alexis live on Marlboro Point Road. They accessed the park via a bridge that connects the trail to Aquia Harbour. They brought their dogs and were excited to have a place to take them.
"We love it," Alexis Zell said. "I just wish it was longer," she said of the trail. "It's a start for Stafford," Pam Zell said.
Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com
Online at: http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2...ex_html?page=1
November 2, 2010 12:35 am
BY JONAS BEALS
As a park and natural area, Government Island will mean a great deal to Stafford County residents. As a historical site, it will be important to the entire country.
Government Island Park opens to the public on Saturday. A paved path and boardwalk provide access to perhaps the most notable quarry in the United States. Both the White House and the U.S. Capitol were built with the fine-grained Aquia sandstone that is unique to the island.
After 20 years of prodding from local historian Jane Conner, the county purchased the 17-acre island for $200,000 in 1998. She is the de facto expert on Government Island and always hoped it would be open and accessible to the public.
"I always thought this would be so wonderful to share with the nation," she said. "It's a dream come true."
Conner led a media tour of the park yesterday, five days before it officially opens to the public.
Stafford County has a number of activities planned to commemorate the opening Saturday. Aquia Church off U.S. 1, which was built with Aquia sandstone, will be open for tours. Historians and re-enactors will be at the church to help people understand how the stone was quarried, transported and carved.
Although a 12-car parking lot is almost complete at the trail head off Coal Landing Road, it will not be open for parking on Saturday. Shuttles will carry people from Aquia Church to the trail.
Government Island is on Aquia Creek, just south of the Aquia Harbour subdivision. Conner moved into the neighborhood in 1978 and became curious about the vacant island. She decided to research it, and uncovered an trove of immovable artifacts--giant slabs of stone that positioned Government Island at the root of American architecture.
Forty-foot tall rock walls clearly show how the Aquia stone was quarried. Countless pick marks in the walls reveal the effort of slaves who worked to break the giant slabs free, drag them to the water's edge and load them on barges in Aquia Creek.
Although the island is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, its history extends far beyond our nation's founding. Stone tools found on the site indicate that Native Americans inhabited the island 10,000 years ago.
Natural beauty abounds on the island. Stunning views stretch out over marshland, Aquia Creek and Austin Run. Bald eagles and herons occasionally swoop by. And it is an ideal place to enjoy the fall colors.
The trail, including the loop around the island, is about 1.5 miles long. It is part of the National Park Service's Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail system.
"Government Island is a significant resource for our citizens in its unique natural features, and also in its educational value," Stafford Supervisor Paul Milde said.
Even though the park isn't yet open, there's nothing to stop people such as Stafford resident Shelly Meares from walking the trails. She vowed yesterday that it would be a daily routine for her and her dog, Millie.
Pam Zell and her daughter Alexis live on Marlboro Point Road. They accessed the park via a bridge that connects the trail to Aquia Harbour. They brought their dogs and were excited to have a place to take them.
"We love it," Alexis Zell said. "I just wish it was longer," she said of the trail. "It's a start for Stafford," Pam Zell said.
Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com
Online at: http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2...ex_html?page=1