Monument Name
George Washington Boulder, Lexington
Type
Subjects
Creator
William Pfohl, Briggs-Shaffner Company, Winston Salem, NC, Builder
City
County
Description
A bronze plaque on a stele-shaped boulder commemorates President George Washington's visit to the area on Tuesday, May 31, 1791. The boulder is reportedly the rock he sat on while he enjoyed his lunch during the journey between Salisbury and Salem.
Images: Plaque | View from N.C. Highway 150Inscription
GEORGE WASHINGTON / BOULDER / ON THIS ROCK / PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON / RESTED AND ATE DINNER ENROUTE / FROM SALISBURY TO WINSTON-SALEM / MAY 31, 1791 / ERECTED BY / GEN. WM. DAVIDSON CHAPTER D.A.R. / LEXINGTON N.C. / 1926
Dedication Date
November 26, 1926
Decade
Geographic Coordinates
35.505910 , -80.200230
-
Series
Supporting Sources
Public Site
Yes
Materials & Techniques
Granite, bronze
Sponsors
General William Davidson Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
Subject Notes
In the spring of 1791, President George Washington began his tour of the southern states. Washington decided even before his inauguration to visit every state in the nation in order to gain a better understanding of the condition of the country and the needs of the people. His cross-country journey began in 1789 but, because North Carolina did not ratify the United States Constitution until 1790, his trip to the south was delayed.
Between March and June of 1791, Washington traveled along the eastern seaboard from Maryland to Georgia, and then took a western return route from Georgia to Virginia. During his 1,700-mile tour he sought to emphasize national unity, understand the region's political sentiments, and learn about the southern economy. North Carolina was of particular importance to the tour because of its late ratification and Washington used his stops in the state as an opportunity to reinforce its admittance into the union.
Washington was revered as the father of the nation and, because of his status; his visits to communities across the country were of important historical significance.
There are numerous markers across North Carolina commemorating President Washington's tour of the southern states in 1791 to include nine identical bronze plaques placed by the DAR in 1925. Notable among them are George Washington Plaque, Hampstead outside Wilmington, George Washington Plaque, Tarboro, George Washington Plaque, Salisbury, George Washington Plaque, Greenville, and George Washington Plaque, Guilford Courthouse. Other markers made of stone include George Washington and Henry Clay Marker in Wilmington and "George Washington Stopped Here" Marker in Arcadia.Location
The George Washington Boulder is located on N.C. Highway 150 directly across from Reeds Elementary School in the Community of Reeds near Lexington, NC.
Landscape
The marker sits on a lawn area next to a residential building.
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