The Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (Historical Marker)
GPS Coordinates: 38.7106306, -77.0860486
Here follows the inscription written on this roadside historical marker:
1732 – 1932
The Mount Vernon Memorial Highway was authorized by Congress May 23, 1928 as an activity of the United States Commission for the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington.
The highway was designed and constructed under the direction of the United States Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Public Roads.
Construction started September 12, 1929
Opened to traffic January 16, 1932
This highway was formally dedicated to the service of the people November 15, 1932
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Additional commentary:
The marker is located near the entrance to the Mount Vernon Estate.
Before this Highway an Electric Railway ran to Mount Vernon:
This highway replaced the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon Electric Railway, later the Washington-Virginia Railway, which ceased operations two days after the highway opened to traffic. It had been built in 1892. Parts of the highway/parkway south of Alexandria were built on the railway's right of way. The path of the trolley car turnaround at Mount Vernon is now the traffic circle at the south end of the highway.
Washington and Virginia Railway Station, Mt. Vernon, Va.:
“New $25,000 Station and Waiting Room, Mt. Vernon, Va. In this building there is one of the finest dining rooms in the country, made famous by the Chicken dinners and lunches served. Open all the year. T. F. Ellis, Proprietor.” Published by Louis Kaufmann & Sons, Baltimore, Md. for T. F. Ellis — K. 1028.