In the ballroom of Gadsby’s Inn in 1798 was held the first celebration of Washington’s birthday. From the steps of the same building he gave his last military command to the Alexandria Light Infantry Blues; and here, also, in November, 1799, less than 30 days before his death, he cast his last vote.
At the Carlyle House, still standing, he received his appointment as an officer in the British Army on General Braddock’s staff; and in this house also, at the Convention of the Five Governors assembled to confer with General Braddock, the first suggestion of colonial taxation was made—a step which ultimately led to the revolt of the Colonies.
A short side trip from Washington Street down King Street takes the traveler to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, which has been erected at the western outskirts of the town on Shooters Hill. It is 333 feet high, and was designed by Harvey W. Corbett, architect.
Returning to Washington Street and proceeding southward the traveler passes the Confederate Monument, and soon reaches the southern limits of the town and passing within a stone’s throw of the first corner stone of the District of Columbia, still standing on Jones Point.
Leaving Alexandria the route crosses Hunting Creek to Fort Hunt, thence to the entrance gates of Mount Vernon.
FEATURES OF THE HIGHWAY DESCRIBED
The making of surveys, preparation of plans, and supervision of construction have all been done by the Bureau of Public Roads of the United States Department of Agriculture, and Gilmore D. Clarke, Consulting Landscape Architect.
MOUNT VERNON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY—BRIDGE OVER BOUNDARY CHANNEL
The location selected for the highway required the construction of fills across approximately 2³⁄₄ miles of open water, which was accomplished by pumping gravel and sand from the Potomac River.