Near McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Langley Fork
Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number T-33.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • 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 (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1719.
Location. 38° 56.751′ N, 77° 9.291′ W. Marker is near McLean, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is at the intersection of Georgetown Pike (Virginia Route 193) and Chain Bridge Road (County Route 3563), on the right when traveling west on Georgetown Pike. Just to the west of the entrance to Langley Fork Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6200 Georgetown Pike, Mc Lean VA 22101, 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 the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Robert Gunnell and Gunnell's Chapel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clemyjontri (about 600 feet away); Who Was Claude Moore? (approx. 0.4 miles away); Salona (approx. 1.2 miles away); Benvenue (approx. 1.3 miles away); McLean (approx. 1½ miles away); The Laughlin Building (approx. 1½ miles away); William Watters (approx. 1½ 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 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.
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 4,060 times since then and 83 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.





