Presidential Visit to Falls Church, 1911

Presidential Visit to Falls Church, 1911. . July 21, 1911 was the 50th anniversary of the 1861 Confederate victory at Bull Run (Manassas), the first major land battle of the Civil War. For the occasion President William Howard Taft left the White House with a four-car caravan to drive the same route taken 50 years earlier by Union troops and curious civilians expecting a quick Union victory. The first president with an automobile, on the way he stopped in Falls Church to visit the home of Dr. Tunis Cline Quick, a former schoolmate. From the front porch Taft greeted about 300 assembled local citizens with a few brief remarks:, "Ladies and gentlemen, we feel rather closely to you in Washington because in some way or other we feel as if you ought to be with us still, but Senator Martin and Representative Carlin have interfered and we have concluded to leave you with the Old Mother Virginia. We are on our way to Manassas. We were told that we should go through Falls Church, as it was a very pretty village... I thank you sincerely for coming out today. I appreciate very much your expression of Virginia hospitality.", The president sipped a glass of lemonade, and was presented with a picture of the historic Falls Church (Episcopal). The caravan continued on to Manassas through heat, dust, and a sudden storm that caused flash flooding. His was the only car of the group to arrive, 2 hours late, for the 4 pm ceremony. The president returned to Washington by train.