Three Views of Clifton

Townscapes

This card shows three views of Clifton: the town’s hotel; a scene along Bull Run; and a view down Main Street. By the early 20th century the town of Clifton had practically reached its current size. In 1902, Clifton was incorporated by act of the Generally Assembly, making it one of the first towns in the County.

1902

clifton, fairfax county, virginia

United States

Methodist Church, Herndon VA

Places of Worship

Herndon's Methodist Church began with meetings in Herndon residents’ homes in 1857. This community of worshipers became a part of the Methodist Episcopal Church North in 1869. The North Methodist church met in the building shown on this postcard. It is located near the corner of Elden and Center Streets.

1857

Herndon, Virginia

United States

Pohick Church

Places of Worship

The Pohick Church has its roots in early communities of Anglican’s dating back to the end of the 17th century. Construction began on this specific church in 1769 and construction was completed in 1774. George Washington and George Mason both helped raise funds for the church's construction and both were active members when services began. Virginia's 1785 Religious Freedom Act ended the commonwealth's official support for Anglicanism. The Pohick Church became an Episcopal church and was actively used as a place of worship until it was raided in the War of 1812. Over the next 30 years, the building continued to decay and fall further into disarray. In the 1840s, a national fundraising effort allowed for the restoration of the Pohick Church. Only 20 some years later, during the Civil War, the church was taken over by occupying Union troops who used the church building as a stable. During that time, Northern soldiers vandalized and looted the church. Some of the graffiti they left is still visible on the church walls. After the war the church began hosting services again in 1874 and a major restoration project was undertaken in 1890. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places the church is open to visitors seven days a week. It continues to offer Sunday morning services.

1769

Pohick, Fairfax, VA

United States

Dulles International Airport

Recreation, Transportation

Dedicated by President John F. Kennedy on November 17, 1962, Dulles International Airport has acted as an international gateway to Washington D.C. The engineering firm of Ammann and Whitney of New York designed this distinctive structure. Architect Eero Saarinen designed the airport's signature terminal building, which won a First Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects in 1966.

1962

Dulles, VA

United States

Vienna Inn

Recreation, Townscapes

Located on Maple Avenue in Vienna Virginia, the Vienna Inn has provided Fairfax residents with chilidogs and beer since it opened in 1960. The building was originally established as an ice cream parlor in 1925. While so much of the County has changed, transitioning from a small town rural-feel to a bustling community, the Inn remains a touchstone to an earlier era.

1960

Vienna, VA

United States

Meet Me At Colvin Run

Recreation, Transportation

For much of the history of the County, Colvin Run Village was the largest community on the Leesburg Pike between Falls Church and Leesburg. The small community grew from the 1890s through the first decade of the 20th Century, at which point paved roads made it easy for residents to find services elsewhere. This transformed the small community into a bedroom community for nearby cities.

1890

Colvin Run, Virginia

United States

Greetings from Accotink, C. T. American Art 1920's Postcard Collection

Recreation

1912

Accotink, Virginia

United States

Great Falls National Park

Recreation

1930

Great Falls, Virginia

United States

Arial View of Reston, Gulf Reston Photo, c1970

Townscapes

Established on April 20, 1964 the community of Reston was the first post war planed community. The community gets its name from the initials of its creator and planer, Robert E. Simon. Simon purchased the 7,300 acres of land the community was built on from Smith Bowman, who operated a bourbon distillery and farm on the site.

1970

Reston, VA

United States

Occoquan Bridge

Townscapes, Transportation

The Occoquan Bridge connects Fairfax County to the city of Occoquan in Prince William County. Established in 1804 by Nathaniel Ellicott, the Town of Occoquan retains much of its historic character. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes destroyed a considerable amount of the town, including what remained of the Occoquan Iron-Truss Bridge. The bridge has since been restored.

1804

Occoquan, VA

United States