Near Kopp in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Lost Community of Kopp, Virginia
Photographed By Lora Wilson, July 24, 2021
1. The Lost Community of Kopp, Virginia Marker
Inscription.
The Lost Community of Kopp, Virginia. . In 1876, Union Army veteran Thomas Woolfenden and his wife Isabelle purchased 140 acres near Chopawamsic Creek County while continuing to live in Baltimore. Finally, in 1885, the Woolfendens settled into their new Prince William home. The small community was originally named Voy after the local postmaster. At the time a schoolhouse was being used by the local Baptists for a place to worship. The Woolfendens donated an acre of their land for a new church which was completed in November 1886 and named Belle Haven Missionary Baptist Church in honor of Mrs. Woolfenden. The farming community became known as Kopp in 1901 upon the establishment of a new post office. The expansion of Quantico Marine Corps Base in 1942 by eminent domain abruptly displaced the community. All structures were demolished. The only vestige of Kopp today is the Belle Haven Cemetery a short distance to the west. Family members continue to use the cemetery for burials.
In 1876, Union Army veteran Thomas Woolfenden and his wife Isabelle purchased 140 acres near Chopawamsic Creek County while continuing to live in Baltimore. Finally, in 1885, the Woolfendens settled into their new Prince William home. The small community was originally named Voy after the local postmaster. At the time a schoolhouse was being used by the local Baptists for a place to worship. The Woolfendens donated an acre of their land for a new church which was completed in November 1886 and named Belle Haven Missionary Baptist Church in honor of Mrs. Woolfenden. The farming community became known as Kopp in 1901 upon the establishment of a new post office. The expansion of Quantico Marine Corps Base in 1942 by eminent domain abruptly displaced the community. All structures were demolished. The only vestige of Kopp today is the Belle Haven Cemetery a short distance to the west. Family members continue to use the cemetery for burials.
Erected 2020 by Prince William County Historical Commission.
Location. 38° 34.805′ N, 77° 25.687′ W. Marker is near Kopp
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, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is on Joplin Road (Virginia Route 619) 5.2 miles west of Interstate 95, on the left when traveling north. Joplin Road runs between the borders of Prince William National Forest and the Quanitco Marine Corps Base. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manassas VA 20112, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. There is a small pull-off at the marker but it's on a curve so you may pass it before you realize it.
Photographed By Lora Wilson, July 24, 2021
2. The Lost Community of Kopp, Virginia Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2022, by Lora Wilson of Paw Paw, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,327 times since then and 442 times this year. Last updated on October 3, 2023, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2022, by Lora Wilson of Paw Paw, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
