Falls Church, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Presidential Visit to Falls Church, 1911

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 4, 2018

1. Presidential Visit to Falls Church, 1911 Marker

Inscription. 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

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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.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1911.

Location. 38° 53.132′ N, 77° 9.884′ W. Marker is in Falls Church, Virginia. It is at the intersection of North Washington Street (U.S. 29) and East Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north on North Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 80 East Jefferson Street, Falls Church VA 22046, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 4, 2018

2. Presidential Visit to Falls Church, 1911 Marker

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pearson's Funeral Home (here, next to this marker); Benjamin Elliott's Coal Trestle (approx. 0.2 miles away); East Falls Church Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); East Falls Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Home Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Southwest 9 (approx. 0.4 miles away); City of Falls Church Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); WWI Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Falls Church.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Arlington County / Fairfax County (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 537 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.