Rededication For Fairfax Stone Held

The newest Fairfax Stone, which stands at the headwaters of the North Branch of the Potomac river where Grant, Preston and Tucker counties meet, was dedicated last Saturday afternoon in ceremonies held as a part of the Mountain State Forest Festival.

Officiating was Miss Elizabeth Carol Kemper, of Bluefield, who is Queen Silvia XXI. Some eighty persons attended the dedication.

The 1910 marker still remains. The new marker is a large stone with a bronze plate set in the stone on which are these words: “FAIRFAX STONE. This monument, at the headspring of the Potomac river, marks one of the historic spots of America. Its 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.”

Actually the Fairfax stone is about one mile due south of the Maryland-West Virginia boundary line, and is not far from Kempton. The ground for the site was contributed by the Western Maryland Railway company which gave four acres and the right of way for one and one-half miles of highway. The company took part in the dedication program.

Dr. Roy Baird Cook, Charleston, was master of ceremonies. Harold B. Fortney spoke on the historical significance of the stone and remarks were made by Boyt B. Stutler, Charleston; Dr. O. D. Lambert, Morgantown; Hubert B. Lake, Parsons; Kermit McKeever, chief, division of State Parks; Conservation commission, Charleston; and D. D. Brown, president of the Randolph County Historical society at Elkins.