Sites of Interest in Southern Fauquier
Welcome to Southern Fauquier County, the beautiful bridge
between bustling Northern Virginia and the tranquil foothills of
the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fauquier retains the charm and
character of its agricultural heritage. The rich and colorful
history of the country where Chief Justice John Marshall grew up
and Colonel John Singleton Mosby rode to fame is preserved in
markers and monuments and in twelve stops on the Virginia Civil
War Trails.
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Bealeton
Established as Spring Hill on March 26,
1814, the name changed to Germantown on November 15, 1823.
Discontinued on May 27, 1840 and reestablished on March 18,
1843. The Bealeton Right of Way was given to the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad by the Beale family in 1850. Bealeton was
named for John G. Beale Sr. on October 30, 1852.
Bealeton was a small thriving town located where Remington Road
runs parallel to Route 17. It curved around and crossed over the
tracks where Schoolhouse Road and Remington Road now meet. A
garage, lumberyard, lime and fertilizer store, general store,
and a post office were some of the business in Bealeton. There
was also a cheese factory where the animal hospital is now.
During World War II the Government funded a cannery at Cedar Lee
Middle School as part of the Agricultural Program to teach
housewives to preserve food. There was also at least one Beer
Garden in Bealeton.
The train used to stop in Bealeton and you could ride it to
Washington D.C. and back in the same day for only $1.00.
Bealeton is the home of Liberty High School and is located north
of the intersection of Route 17 and Route 28.
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Calverton
Formerly known as Owl Run even though the railroad junction at
Calverton was called Warrenton Junction. Located at the
intersection of Routes 28 and 616.
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Casanova
Casanova is located at the intersection of Routes 602 and 616.
Home of the Casanova Hunt, it still has a village green for the
opening hunt meets. The post office there was honored by Lady
Bird Johnson's Beautification Committee in 1959 as Virginia's
most beautiful.
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Catlett's Station
Village resident Susan Emiline Caldwell described in a letter
Stuart's cavalry capture of 200 Union prisoners and $25,000. The
Rebels also nabbed Union Gen. John Pope's personal items,
including his dispatch book. Intelligence from the book enables
Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson to develop a strategy that
lead to victory at Second Manassas a week later. (Marker at
Catlett Station Antiques on Old Catlett Road.)
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Germantown
Germantown was the first village to thrive in Fauquier County.
All that remains lies in the vicinity of Crockett Park near
Midland. Fragments of stone foundation, weathered tombstones,
and traces of German Rolling road are still visible.
Germantown began when 17 iron miners from Nassau-Seigen, Germany
arrived in Virginia in 1714. Governor Spotswood settled them in
a frontier outpost he named Germanna. When differences arose
between the Governor and the Germans in 1718 they purchased
1,805 acres further into the northern wilderness along an old
Iroquois trail in Fauquier County.
The property was divided equally among the settlers with each
settler donating 10 acres to form a glebe, whereupon Fauquier
County's first church, parsonage, and school were constructed.
As a result of their prosperity the settlers acquired abundant
land elsewhere and by the Revolution all of the original
settlers had relocated.
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Goldvein
Formerly called Grove's Church. There were
two churches named Grove in the area. It was renamed for the
gold that had been actively mined from the area for many years.
It was an important supplier of gold for the Confederate army
during the Civil War. Goldvein is located on Route 17 just north
of deep run. It is the home of Monroe Park Gold Mining Mess
Hall. The County Parks and Recreation department has reached an
agreement with the Chamber of Commerce to establish a visitor
center in the Mess Hall for tourists entering the county from
the south. Departmental personnel will staff the center 3 days a
week and the Chamber will staff it 3 days per week. Volunteers
are needed to help provide tourism assistance as well as answer
questions related to the county's rich gold mining history.
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Kelly's Ford
On St. Patrick's Day 1863, troops led by two
friends and former West Point classmates battled for nearly 12
hours. Union Gen. William Averell and Confederate Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee exchanged coffee and tobacco along with gunfire that day --
a common ritual between armies. (Marker on Culpeper side of
Kelly's Ford Bridge.)
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Midland
So called because it is mid-way between
Alexandria and Orange. Situated at 300 feet above sea level, the
water that falls on the north side of town drains to the
Rappahannock River. Located at routes 28 and 610, Midland is the
birthplace of Chief Justice John Marshall, home to the county
airport and CM Crockett Park. The park is located on Route 643 (Meetze
Rd) south of Warrenton. It is a 109-acre lake and 100 acre park
with picnic shelters, boat ramp, boat rental, nature trail,
concession stand, Amphitheatre, weekly programs, special events
and fishing.
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Morrisville
The origin of this name is unknown;
however, the first Court of Fauquier County was held at a house
situated on property three-quarters of a mile northwest of
Morrisville. Located at the junction of Route 17 and Route 806.
(The following information was obtained from an article written
in the early 1900's.) Morrisville has long been noted for its
healthfulness, intelligence, refinement and high appreciation of
education. Morrisville is probably the oldest place in Fauquier
County. It was here that the first county seat of Fauquier was
established.
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Opal (Fayettesville)
Formerly known as New Brighton Post Office,
it was established on thirty acres of land then owned by Austin
Miskell in 1798. Opal is at the intersection of Routes 17 and
29.
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Remington
The only incorporated town in the southern
portion of Fauquier County. It was incorporated in 1890 after
having been called at various times Mill View, Bowensville, and
Rappahannock Station. It is the home of M. M. Pierce elementary
school. Remington has changed little in the past century. It
boasts and old-fashioned drug store, complete with the original
soda fountain. Near the Rappahannock River, the village (now
Remington) stood at a strategic battleground for control of the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad. On Nov. 7, 1863, Union soldiers
launched a "rare night attack (resulting in) the capture of more
than 1,600 (Confederates)." The battle marked the confederates'
last defense of the upper Rappahannock River in the war. (Marker
on James Madison Highway in Remington.)
The Washingtonian Magazine voted Remington best small town and
Best Place To Work At Home. (March 1999), a place where you can
find friendly neighbors, safer streets, charm and a slower pace.
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Sumerduck
Sumerduck was so named for large flocks of
ducks that used to appear every summer. Sumerduck is the home of
the Chester A. Phelps Wildlife Management Area. The Wildlife
Management area consists of 4,540 acres along the Rappahannock
River with hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding trails
including handicapped accessible trails and facilities for the
disabled. It is operated by the VA Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries. The Chester A. Phelps Wildlife Management Area and
the village of Sumerduck are located approximately 4 miles off
Route 17 from Goldvein on Route 651.
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