Fairfax Stone Historical Monument State Park

West Virginia’s Boundary Marker — 4-Acre Historical Park, 1746 Lord Fairfax Land Grant Boundary, Headwaters of the North Branch Potomac River, National Register of Historic Places, Tucker-Grant-Preston County Line West Virginia

Fairfax Stone Historical Monument State Park is a 4-acre historical state park at the junction of Tucker, Grant, and Preston Counties in West Virginia, near Thomas, preserving the site of the Fairfax Stone — a boundary marker that has shaped the political geography of the Mid-Atlantic for nearly three centuries. The site features a replica of the original 1746 boundary stone marking the headwaters of the North Branch of the Potomac River, interpretive exhibits explaining the stone’s role in defining the boundary between Maryland and Virginia (later West Virginia), National Register of Historic Places designation, and the symbolic source spring of the Potomac River.

The Fairfax Stone — A 280-Year Boundary Dispute

The original stone was placed on October 23, 1746, by surveyor Thomas Lewis and marked with the initials “FX”. It was set to define the western boundary of a massive 6-million-acre land grant given by King Charles II of England to Lord Thomas Fairfax — the only English nobleman to hold a proprietary land grant in colonial Virginia. The stone marked the headspring of the North Branch of the Potomac River, which served as the critical reference point for the grant’s boundary.

For nearly two centuries, the stone’s exact location was the subject of intense legal disputes, surveys, and court battles between Maryland and Virginia (and later West Virginia) over the states’ shared border. The controversy was not fully resolved until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1912, using the Fairfax Stone as a key reference point to finalize the boundary.

The Current Monument

The stone currently at the site is a replica (the fifth such marker), dedicated on October 5, 1957. It replaces earlier markers that were damaged, stolen, or lost over the centuries. The park includes interpretive signage explaining the stone’s complex history, the boundary disputes it engendered, and the geological and hydrological significance of the Potomac River headspring that flows from this site.

Visitor Information

The park is located just off U.S. Route 219, approximately four miles north of Thomas, West Virginia. It is a day-use only site with no camping or overnight facilities. The small park provides an interpretive walk to the stone and spring, and is often visited in conjunction with nearby Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, and the Allegheny Highlands region.

📍 Location: Off U.S. Route 219, approximately 4 miles north of Thomas, WV — Tucker/Grant/Preston County line, West Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the original Fairfax Stone still at the site?

No, the current stone is a replica (the fifth marker), dedicated in 1957. Earlier stones were damaged or lost over the centuries.

Is there an entrance fee?

There is no entrance fee. The site is free and open for day use year-round.

Can I see the Potomac River headwaters here?

Yes, the park marks the headspring of the North Branch of the Potomac River, which begins its journey to the Chesapeake Bay from this mountaintop location.

Wildlife & Nature

Fairfax Stone HM SP — marks the original 1746 survey stone that defined the boundary of the Fairfax Grant — 5.3 million acres owned by Lord Fairfax. George Washington surveyed this land as a young man. The stone also marks the headspring of the North Branch Potomac River. The site’s spruce forest and mountain support black bears and snowshoe hares.