Chantilly in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"Loudoun Branch" of the Historic Manassas Gap Railroad
(Unfinished Spur, circa 1851 - 1857)
— Sully Historic Site: Cain's Branch Archaeological Trail —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 20, 2022
1. "Loudoun Branch" of the Historic Manassas Gap Railroad Marker
In 1851, the Haight family of Sully and other neighbors were looking forward to the railroad coming to the western part of Fairfax County. With the proposed railroad close by, they could have quickly moved their farm products at the port town of Alexandria.
A flat level surface was needed for the train tracks. This required deep excavations and heavy earthworks movement. Enslaved workers and hired hands were used to start construction. Just imagine the amount of digging and hauling required to create this deep ditch.
Running from Fairfax City towards the headwaters of the Cub Run stream, the line was going to cut across a corner of Sully. Instead, by 1857, funding and other problems ended the project to extend the Manassas Gap Rail to this part of the county. The railway bed was prepared; were never laid.
[Captions:]
The massive unused bridge abutments put in place for crossing Cub Run stream are still visible in Cub Run Stream valley in Centreville, Va.
Unfinished railroad abutment in Annandale Va.
Built up stones for culvert construction from the same failed railroad project can be viewed at the Manassas Gap Railroad Historic Site in Annandale, Va.
Erected 2022 by Fairfax County Park Authority. (Marker
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Manassas Gap Railroad series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 38° 54.555′ N, 77° 25.696′ W. Marker is in Chantilly, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from Historic Sully Way, 0.8 miles south of Air and Space Museum Parkway, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3642 Historic Sully Way, Herndon VA 20171, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. An 18th Century Enslaved Community at Sully (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Richard Bland Lee Served His Country (about 600 feet away); The Sully Farms (about 600 feet away); Old Barn and Other Farm Buildings (approx. 0.2 miles away); Excavating a 19th century Tenant Structure (approx. 0.2 miles away); Finding a Slave Quarter and an 18th Century Roadbed (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robert Edward Wagstaff (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heirloom Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chantilly.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 20, 2022
2. "Loudoun Branch" of the Historic Manassas Gap Railroad Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 247 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
