Falls Church, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Star Tavern
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 12, 2007
1. Front Side of Marker
Inscription.
Star Tavern. . After no luck in western goldmines Walter H. Erwin in 1852 bought two acres for $100 (part of 1729 248-acre Trammel grant). Built frame tavern on this site which became a landmark on Leesburg Pike. 1861 sketch shows it with a verandah and green glass star atop a pole. After war, the Independent Order of Grand Templars held their temperance meetings in the tavern. Inn was used for many purposes as successively remodeled. It served as community post office until the 1870s and as grocery store in 1910. Building replaced by Falls Church Bank in 1924 and then by the George Mason Square in 1984.
After no luck in western goldmines Walter H. Erwin in 1852 bought two acres for $100 (part of 1729 248-acre Trammel grant). Built frame tavern on this site which became a landmark on Leesburg Pike. 1861 sketch shows it with a verandah and green glass star atop a pole. After war, the Independent Order of Grand Templars held their temperance meetings in the tavern. Inn was used for many purposes as successively remodeled. It served as community post office until the 1870s and as grocery store in 1910. Building replaced by Falls Church Bank in 1924 and then by the George Mason Square in 1984.
Location. 38° 52.936′ N, 77° 10.282′ W. Marker is in Falls Church, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of West Broad Street (State Highway 7) and Washington Street (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling east on West Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Falls Church VA 22046, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The back side of the marker a drawing of the tavern from the Civil War showing soldiers and civilians passing on horseback.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 12, 2007
2. Back Side of Marker
The "star" is seen prominently at the front of the tavern in the drawing.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 12, 2007
3. Intersection of Broad and Washington
The buildings change, and people drive cars by instead of riding horses, but the heavy traffic along the Pike remains.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 4, 2014
4. Star Tavern - 1861 Sketch
Close-up of image on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 4, 2014
5. Detail of 1861 Sketch
Showing the verandah and the star.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,612 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on October 6, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.