Sterling in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Lanesville Families
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 30, 2020
William Lane bought the property from the King sisters in 1779 and built the earliest portions of the Lanesville House. Ann Carr Lane is believed to be the first child born in the Lanesville House. Ann, daughter of William and Sarah Lane, was born in 1781.
In 1800, Hardage Lane bought a portion of the property from his brother, William. Hardage and his wife, Rachel, had daughter Keturah in 1785; when Hardage passed away in 1803, Keturah continued to live in the house. During this same period, Keturah married John Keen, and had son Newton. John and Keturah operated the Lanesville Ordinary and Post Office from their home.
In 1814, John Keene passed away. Keturah then married Benjamin Bridges; they continued to run the Lanesville Ordinary and Post Office. They had three sons: Hardage Jr. (1818-1864), Benjamin II (1820-1900), and William (who died in infancy).
Keturah Lane Keen Bridges passed away in 1849. Her son, Benjamin Bridges II married Lucy Alice Elgin in 1853. They lived in the Lanesville House and had five children, Dorsey, Molly, Frank, Benjamin III, and Irene. In 1900, Benjamin Bridges II passed away; his wife Lucy and daughter Irene continued to live in the house; in 1905, the house was purchased by his daughter Irene after Lucy's passing in 1904.
In 1941, Irene Bridges placed the Lanesville House and surrounding property on auction. Dr. Claude Moore purchased the property from Irene, and continued to make changes to the property, maintaining his residence for 50 years. Eventually, the property came under the ownership of Loudoun County and was opened as a park in 1990.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1991.
Location. 39° 1.059′ N, 77° 24.234′ W. Marker is in Sterling, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker can be reached from Old Vestals Gap Road, on the right when traveling west. Located behind the Lanesville House, in Claude Moore Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sterling VA 20164, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lanesville Outbuildings (here, next to this marker); Lanesville House and Vestal's Gap Road (a few steps from this marker); Lanesville Architecture
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 30, 2020
More about this marker. The marker displays portraits of Benjamin Bridges II, Lucy Alice Eglin Bridges, Dorsey Bridges, and Irene Bridges. On the right are pages from the Deed from King to Lane and Estate holdings of John Keene.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,386 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 30, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.