About Fairfax County
History of Fairfax County, Virginia
In many ways the recorded history of Fairfax County, Virginia is a reflection of the history of the United States. Although the county was not formally created until 1742, the history of English settlement on the land that is now Fairfax County spans the early 1600s to the present. Such familiar Fairfax County names and places as George Washington, George Mason, Mount Vernon, Bull Run—even Washington Dulles International Airport—have played or are still playing important roles in the lives of Americans everywhere.
In 1649, King Charles II of England granted all of the land between the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers to a group of seven Englishmen. In 1719 this land came into the possession of Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax, after whom Fairfax County was named. By 1732 there were attempts to form the land into a county, but it was not until 1741 that the Virginia Assembly, meeting in Williamsburg, created Fairfax County. The assembly action took effect the next year.
From around 1750 to the end of the 18th century, changes abounded in Fairfax County's lifestyle and character. Roads were built and mills and other forms of industry increased. Forests were cleared for farmland.
The Revolutionary War
More than just economic, commercial and demographic changes occurred in the late 1700s. Historic relationships were also altered, when Virginia ceased being part of the British Empire and became part of the American nation.
The land area of the county was dramatically reduced by 60 percent in 1757, as Loudoun County was formed out of western Fairfax. In 1798, land in northeastern Fairfax County (parts of present-day Arlington County and Alexandria City) was ceded to the new federal government as part of the national capital, the District of Columbia.
During the last half of the 18th century, two of the County's most prominent residents, George Washington and George Mason, became chief forces behind the formation of the American nation. Their respective homes – Mount Vernon and Gunston Hall – are still open to the public. In 1784 George Washington presided over the first corporate venture in the United States, the Patowmack Canal Company. The company was formed to construct a canal around Great Falls, to make the Potomac River navigable and stimulate trade between the East and the Ohio Valley.
While Washington served as the first president of the United States, Mason was a leading intellectual force, along with fellow Virginian Thomas Jefferson. Mason's ideas on the rights of man surfaced in such important documents as the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Constitution of 1776, both of which were authored by him. His Virginia Declaration of Rights served as the model for the American Bill of Rights and the French Declaration of Rights of Man and the Citizen, which was issued after the French Revolution.
The American Civil War
During the Civil War, Fairfax County was literally caught in the middle of the hostilities. Rebel troops were located in the western area, while Union troops were positioned in the northern and eastern areas, near Alexandria. Troops from both sides crisscrossed the county, often wreaking havoc and destruction on private property. Raiders from both sides, the most notable of whom was the Confederate John Singleton Mosby, used the county as a staging ground for many forays.
Two major battles, First and Second Manassas, took place just south and adjacent to the county, near Bull Run. The first battle, in July 1861, was fought by inexperienced troops on both sides. It ended with a Confederate rout of the Union army, which was forced to flee to the safety of Washington, D.C. Experienced soldiers fought the second battle in late August 1862. The time, Confederate General Robert E. Lee defeated Union forces led by generals McClellan and Pope, and opened the North to later attacks by Confederate troops.
Several minor battles were fought in Fairfax County. On June 1, 1861, there was a Union cavalry raid on the Fairfax County Court house in which several casualties occurred. John Quincy Marr died during this skirmish, becoming the first Confederate officer to be killed in the war. Later that month a bloody battle broke out between Yankee and Rebel troops at the Town of Vienna. Skirmishes were also fought near Dranesville and Centreville.
Fairfax County Today
Once a rural area dotted with farms, Fairfax County in the 21st century is a growing metropolis with a thriving technology industry. With its 300 parks, proximity to the nation’s capital and a host of historic homes, Fairfax County offers visitors a unique experience.
Interspersed with Fairfax County’s impressive collection of 18th and 19th century landmarks are its featured attractions: The National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. With over 80 aircraft and dozens of space artifacts, including the space shuttle Enterprise, the SR 71 Blackbird, the Center is an attraction not to be missed. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. The only national park for the performing arts, with the open-air Filene Center and the cozier Barns, Wolf Trap offers a variety of musical entertainment throughout the year. Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. Experience the spectacular beauty of the home of our nation’s first president, George Washington. While here, make sure to explore Mount Vernon’s beautiful gardens. Tysons Corner. Shopping, shopping, shopping! It’s the largest concentration of stores on the East Coast (500 to be exact), all within walking distance of each other. Additionally, Fairfax County offers immediate access to regional malls in Springfield and Fair Oaks, as well as premium shopping outlets at nearby Potomac Mills and Leesburg.”
Interested in learning more about Fairfax County? A detailed history of the county is available.
