Vienna in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Hunter Station
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2009
1. Hunter Station Marker
The 1860 Alexandria, Loudoun, and Hampshire Railroad station at this junction was called a flag stop - a passenger would step out and flag down the train to catch a ride.At the time that the 1900 picture to the left was taken, the railroad was owned by the Southern Railway and was operated by steam. This view looked west with what is now Hunter Mill Road behind the shelter.
The line was electrified with overhead wires in 1912 after the line became the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railway.
The piece of equipment just beyond the road and to the right of the sign is a mail crane, which let the stationmaster hoist up a mailbag to where it could be snatched up as the train passed.
Passenger service ended in 1951, freight service in 1968 and the line was abandoned. In 1974 the first segment of the W&OD Trail opened within Falls Church.
Erected 2009 by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Friends of the W&OD Trail, and Hunter Mill Defense League.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars
this page online
Location. 38° 55.957′ N, 77° 18.287′ W. Marker is in Vienna, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker is on Hunter Mill Road (County Route 674), on the right when traveling north. The marker is approximately 20 feet from the road along the W&OD Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vienna VA 22182, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hunter’s Mill (here, next to this marker); Strategic Junction (here, next to this marker); Crossroads to War (a few steps from this marker); Cartersville Baptist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Terror by the Tracks (approx. one mile away); Walking in the Footsteps of History (approx. one mile away); The Purpose of the Korean Bell Garden (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Bell of Peace and Harmony (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vienna.
More about this marker. On the upper left is a photo of Hunter Station ca. 1900. Below it is a photo captioned, This aerial view of the intersection of Hunter Mill Road, Hunter Station Road and the railroad is from
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2009
2. Three Markers at the Site of Hunter Station
Also see . . .
1. Washington & Old Dominion Railroad. Wikipedia article offering details of the railroad and a list of stations. (Submitted on November 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Hunter's Mill Defense League. The League sponsored this marker. One of the organization's goals is to protect the scenic and historic character of the Hunter's Mill Road community. (Submitted on November 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Friends of the W&OD Trail. General background on the trail and history. (Submitted on November 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, June 25, 2009
3. Hunter Station
Where the W&OD Trail crosses Hunter Mill Road today.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2009
4. Train Timetable
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,686 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
