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Investment Highlights

  • UNIQUE Private Estate or Retreat for sale or EXCHANGE. Search and find Chopawamsic on "GOOGLE EARTH"

Executive Summary

Located on the Virginia side of the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., Chopawamsic Island is a rare 13-acre private island offering an extraordinary blend of history, privacy, security, and future potential. Once owned by the National Geographic Society, the island now stands as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for visionary ownership.
A Place Where Aviation History Began; Chopawamsic Island occupies a unique place in American history. In 1893, pioneering aviation experiments conducted by Samuel Pierpont Langley took place here, helping lay the foundation for powered flight. These groundbreaking tests were observed and photographed by Alexander Graham Bell, inventor and scientist. The island was also visited frequently by Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, adding another remarkable chapter to its legacy.
NASA’s Earth Observatory Celebrates and highlights the significance of the island and its role in early flight experimentation: Chopawamsic Island Where History Took Flight;
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/the-potomac-island-where-history-took-flight-154686/
Privacy, Security, and Strategic Location: Accessible exclusively by water, Chopawamsic Island offers exceptional privacy while remaining within commuting distance of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
The island sits near the waters associated with the Marine Corps Air Facility at Quantico, while remaining outside the formally MCAFQ zone established by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Nearby patrol activity by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard contributes to the area’s secure environment.

Three homes occupied the island (currently in need of major renovation)and served as private residence as well as members of the Mount Vernon Ducking Society. Today, the island is vacant and ready for a new vision.
Future owners may choose to preserve its historic identity or establish a completely new legacy by rebranding the ISLAND under a NEW NAME for generations to come.
Chopawamsic Island presents a wide range of possibilities for buyers seeking a distinctive waterfront property near the nation’s capital, including:
Exclusive private estate
Conservation or environmental stewardship
Corporate retreat destination
Hospitality or luxury lodging concept
Wedding or event venue
Charitable or educational retreat center
Outdoor recreation and water activities
Private residence with unparalleled seclusion
Interested parties are encouraged to explore these and other creative possibilities consistent with applicable zoning, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
As stated by Joel Dunn, Chesapeake Conservancy President and CEO: “The Chesapeake Bay is as spectacular as Yellowstone or Yosemite, as great as the Great Smokies and as grand as the Grand Tetons. Establishing the Chesapeake National Recreation Area expands resources for environmental protection and makes it clear that the United States cherishes the Chesapeake, the birthplace of American identity.”
A Rare Opportunity; Chopawamsic Island is more than a property — it is a historic landmark, a private sanctuary, and an opportunity to shape the future of a truly unique location. Whether envisioned as an investment, conservation project, legacy estate, or personal retreat, the island offers unmatched exclusivity and historical significance in the Washington metropolitan region.
Prospective buyers are encouraged to explore "Chopawamsic Island" through satellite imagery, including via Google Earth, to fully appreciate its unique geography and strategic location along the Potomac River.

Data Room Click Here to Access

Financial Summary (Actual - 2025)

Annual Annual Per AC
Taxes $2,737 $210.54
Operating Expenses - -
Total Expenses $2,737 $210.54

Financial Summary (Actual - 2025)

Taxes
Annual $2,737
Annual Per AC $210.54
Operating Expenses
Annual -
Annual Per AC -
Total Expenses
Annual $2,737
Annual Per AC $210.54

Property Facts

Price $5,774,000
Sale Type Investment or Owner User
No. Lots 1
Property Type Land
Property Subtype Residential
Proposed Use
Commercial
  • Hospitality
  • Bar
  • Healthcare
  • Health Club
  • Hold For Development
  • Hold For Investment
  • Hospital
  • Marina
  • Medical
  • Motel
  • Research and Development
  • Rehabilitation Center
  • Religious Facility
  • Restaurant
  • Schools
  • Specialty, Festival or Entertainment
Total Lot Size 13.00 AC
No. Stories 2
Zoning A-1

1 Lot Available

Lot

Price $5,774,000
Price Per AC $444,153.85
Lot Size 13.00 AC

13 Acre Unique Intriguing Historic Private Island in The World near Washington DC for Sale or EXCHANGE- Legacy Investment Opportunity. With 400 Years of Recorded History. Chopawamsic is the only private island on Virginia side of the Potomac River

Description

A Sampling of the Island’s Storied History In 1607, John Smith became the first recorded non-native visitor to the island during exploration of the Potomac River. In 1649, the island became home to Giles Brent and his wife, Mary Kittamaquund, daughter of the paramount chief of the Piscataway Nation. Their settlement represented one of the earliest alliances between English colonists and Native leadership in the region. In the early 18th century, the property was acquired by Reverend Alexander Scott of historic Aquia Church, originally known as the Church of Overwharton Parish. During the American Civil War, the Stafford County Courthouse was burned, resulting in the loss of many original land deeds and historical records associated with the island. Surviving copies and archival references may be found through the Library of Virginia. On June 24, 1887, the island was purchased by the Mount Vernon Ducking Society, an exclusive sporting association whose members reportedly included Theodore Roosevelt. The island was later owned for a period by the National Geographic Society. Today, the island occupies a unique position within the environmentally and historically significant Chesapeake Bay region, as ongoing conservation initiatives continue to expand federal and state preservation efforts throughout the Potomac River.

Not walkable
10/100
Exceptionally drivable
90/100
Fairly bikeable
50/100

Property Taxes

Property Taxes

Parcel Numbers
Multiple
  • 14-1
  • 22-18
Land Assessment
$1,981,100
Improvements Assessment
$93,500
Total Assessment
$2,074,600
Annual Taxes
$2,737
Tax Year
2025 Payable 2025
  • Listing ID: 24731443

  • Date on Market: 12/28/2021

  • Last Updated:

  • Address: Chopawamsic Island, Quantico, VA 22134

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