Hidden beneath a busy overpass lies a piece of D.C history. This is Braddock Park. Or rather this is where a significant part of its history lies buried. We’re standing near Braddock’s Rock. It’s not much to look at now. A simple well-like structure marks the spot. But this unassuming well is the cap on a story spanning centuries.
Braddock Park isn’t just a neighborhood park. It’s a place where history literally lies beneath our feet. This seemingly ordinary space holds a secret. It sits above the remains of Braddock’s Rock. This rock played a pivotal role in early American history.
General Edward Braddock supposedly landed here in 1755. He was leading a British Expeditionary Force. The force was heading to fight in the French and Indian War. George Washington was Braddock’s aide-de-camp. This expedition launched Washington’s military career. The expedition itself ended badly. It was ambushed near Fort Duquesne. That’s in what is now Pittsburgh.
Braddock’s Rock had another important role. It was the “Key of Keys”. Surveyors used it as a reference point. They used it to lay out the future capital city of Washington D.C. Unfortunately this led to the rock’s demise. It was blasted apart. Its stone was used as building material. The Capitol and the White House likely contain some of Braddock’s Rock.
The rock was eventually covered. It was covered during construction of the I-66 on-ramp. Today you’ll find a plaque marking the spot. The plaque tells of the rock’s significance. It’s a quiet reminder of what lies beneath. A reminder of how the city grew up around this historical landmark. Braddock Park and Braddock’s Rock stand together as a symbol of the city’s layered history. A history built on the past present and future.
So next time you walk through Braddock Park remember this story. Remember this little well. Remember what lies beneath. You’re walking on history. You’re walking on the foundations of a nation. You’re walking on Braddock’s legacy.