Burke in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Burke Station

August 13, 2005

1. Burke Station Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Burke Station was raided in December, 1862, by Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart. It was from this site, originally Burke Station Depot, that he sent his famous telegram to Union Quartermaster General Meigs complaining of the poor quality of the Union mules he had just captured.

Erected 1986 by Department of Conservation and Historic Resources. (Marker Number BW-3.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1862.

Location. 38° 47.626′ N, 77° 16.287′ W. Marker is in Burke, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker is at the intersection of Old Burke Lake Road and Burke Road (Virginia Route 652), on the right when traveling north on Old Burke Lake Road. This portion of Old Burke Lake Road dead ends at the railroad tracks. Approach from Burke Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9415 Old Burke Lake Rd, Burke VA 22015, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Burke's Station (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Burke's Station

The Original Burke Station Building image. Click for full size.

August 13, 2005

2. The Original Burke Station Building

The view is looking southeast. The original tracks ran between the station on the left and the firehouse at the right of the picture. The station building was turned 90 degrees on its lot after the tracks were moved north (behind the photographer).

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Copperthite Racetrack (approx. ¼ mile away); Post Office (approx. half a mile away); Ice House (approx. half a mile away); The Silas Burke House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Windmill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Wood Shed (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Silas Burke House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Johnson-Sabin Way (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burke.

More about this marker. When marker was placed, Burke Lake Road, County Route 645, ran past the marker and across a grade crossing with the current railroad tracks. Route 645 has since been moved one block west where it crosses the tracks on a bridge.

Regarding Burke Station. Station is on the original site, but has been turned 90 degrees. It is a State Farm Insurance Agency office. The railroad tracks moved two blocks north in the early 20th century. The raid recounted on this marker is known as Stuart's "Christmas Raid."

Also see . . . Wikipedia: Burke, Virginia. (Submitted on November 11, 2005, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Burke Station image. Click for full size.

August 13, 2005

3. Burke Station

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2005. This page has been viewed 5,623 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 10, 2005.