Near McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Langley Fork
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 24, 2007
1. Langley Fork Marker
Two 18th-century roads intersect just west of here: Sugarlands Rolling Road (now Georgetown Pike) and Little Falls Road (now Chain Bridge Road). Several historic structures stand near the fork: Langley Toll House (ca. 1820); Langley Ordinary (ca. 1850); Mackall House (ca. 1858); Gunnell's Chapel (ca. 1879); Langley Friends Meeting House (ca. 1893), and Hickory Hill (ca. 1870), at times the home of Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson, then-Senator John F. Kennedy, and his brother Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Thomas Lee, of Stratford Hall, acquired Langley in a 1719 land grant and named it for a family estate in England.Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number T-33.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #35 John F. Kennedy, the Quakerism, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1719.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Who Was Claude Moore? (approx. 0.4 miles away); Salona (approx. 1.2 miles away); Benvenue (approx. 1.3 miles away); McLean (approx. 1˝ miles away); The Laughlin Building (approx. 1˝ miles away); William Watters (approx. 1˝ miles away); A Way for Fish (approx. 1˝ miles away in Maryland); McLean Volunteer Firehouse (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McLean.
Also see . . . A Walking Tour of Civil War-Related Sites at the Langley Fork. This post examines the historically significant buildings in Langley and their connection to the Civil War era. (Submitted on February 5, 2013, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia.)
Photographed By Carl Clifford, March 16, 2009
2. Langley Fork Marker
Photographed By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr., February 20, 2011
3. Gunnell's Chapel
This small wooden structure was the home of an African-American Methodist congregation. The chapel was built around 1879 on land belonging to Robert Gunnell, a black farmer in Langley. Robert became a free man prior to the war, and according to some sources, owned several slaves, including his wife. While residing in Washington City during the Civil War, Robert was paid compensation for his slaves when they were freed under the 1862 act abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia
Photographed By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr., February 20, 2011
4. Mackall House
This building was erected in 1858-59 and served as the first home of the Trinity Methodist Church. The Mackall family converted the church into a residence at the end of the 19th century. The building today resembles more a family home than a church. During the Civil War, the church served as a hospital, like many buildings in the area. The Country Day School now occupies the spot.
Photographed By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr., June 4, 2011
5. Langley Ordinary
The Langley Ordinary (tavern) served as Union General George A. McCall's headquarters and as a wartime hospital. Graffiti of Union soldiers still dots the walls inside. According to a National Register of Historic Places application, the Langley Ordinary was built circa 1850; the Fairfax Country Inventory of Historic Sites places the date of construction between 1856-61.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 24, 2007
6. Looking down Georgetown Pike towards the Crossroads
Photographed By Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr., February 3, 2013
7. Langley Fork Marker showing new pull-off area along Georgetown Pike
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 24, 2007
8. Langley Meeting House
Located at 6410 Georgetown Pike.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 24, 2007
9. Langley Toll House
At 6324 Georgetown Pike, the 19th century building was originally 1 story, and enlarged to 2 stories in 20th century.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,128 times since then and 309 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 5, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 16, 2009, by Carl Clifford of Arlington, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 5, 2013, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. 6. submitted on September 5, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7. submitted on February 5, 2013, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. 8, 9. submitted on September 5, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
