Manassas, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Railroad Town
1865 - 1900
The railroad that brought such destruction to Manassas became the catalyst for its recovery. Returning residents and new arrivals built hotels, factories and businesses along the rail line. Trains exported local products to regional markets. As the community grew, streets were laid out and homes built. Soon a thriving town existed on what had been a barren landscape.
In 1896, the Southern Railway took over the line running through Manassas. Offering freight and commuter services, the Southern made Manassas a railroad town in the truest sense of the word. Today, freight trains still rumble by on a daily basis and Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express provide regular inter-city and commuter services.
My father commuted twenty-eight years back and forth on the train. One night he came back and was quite elated because he had seen Colonel John S. Mosby on the train. He was a great admirer of Mosby.
Virginia Speiden Carper
[Captions:]
This 1869 map of Manassas shows how the town grew up along the rail line.
Manassas Museum Collection
A Southern freight train passes in front of the Southern States building,
this page online
Manassas Museum Collection
An early Southern Railway schedule illustrates the long-standing relationship has with trains.
Manassas Museum Collection
Erected by City of Manassas, Virginia.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, City of Manassas series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 38° 45.022′ N, 77° 28.383′ W. Marker is in Manassas, Virginia. It is on West Street just south of Center Street (Virginia Route 28), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9417 West Street, Manassas VA 20110, 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. Globally, it is in North America,
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 30, 2019
2. A Railroad Town Marker
This is a prior iteration of the marker. Note that there are minor differences in formatting, althoug the text is identical.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Town Is Born (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Wartime Manassas (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Wartime Manassas (within shouting distance of this marker); Route of the "Old 97" (within shouting distance of this marker); Loy E. Harris (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Jackson's Raid (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Wartime Manassas (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Wartime Manassas (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.
Other markers no longer nearby. Jackson's Raid (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Wartime Manassas
Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 580 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 12, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on November 30, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on July 12, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on November 30, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
