Near Falls Church in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Bailey’s Crossroads

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 7, 2021

1. Bailey’s Crossroads Marker

Inscription. In 1837 Hachaliah Bailey (1774-1845) from Westchester County, New York, purchased 526 acres in the northeast quadrant formed by the intersection of Leesburg and Columbia Pikes. Here he built his home, known as "Moray," which was destroyed by fire in 1942. Before moving to Fairfax County Bailey operated a traveling "menagerie" of elephants. His son, Lewis Bailey (1795-1870), introduced the canvas circus tent to the world and owned a traveling circus before settling on this land that he farmed after 1840. During the Civil War Union officers and their families boarded at Moray. All that remains of the original estate is Moray Lane, which led directly to the house.

Erected 2000 by Fairfax County History Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Fairfax County History Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 38° 51.246′ N, 77° 7.781′ W. Marker is near Falls Church, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is on Crossroads Center Way 0.1 miles north of Leesburg Pike (Virginia Route 7), on the left when traveling north. Marker is in the corner of the Crossroads Center parking lot between the

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two shopping center buildings. The shopping center is in the north quadrant of Baley's Crossroads, which is no longer a true crossroads but a cloverleaf interchange now that Leesburg Pike (State Route 7) crosses Columbia Pike (State Route 244) on an overpass. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5800 Crossroads Center Way, Falls Church VA 22041, 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 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lincoln Reviews Troops at Bailey's Cross Roads (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bailey’s Crossroads Civil War Engagements (approx. ¼ mile away); Dr. Lilli Vincenz (approx. 0.4 miles away); Moses Ball Grant (approx. half a mile away); Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Southwest 6 (approx. 0.6 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Lincoln Reviews Troops at Bailey’s Crossroads (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Bailey's Crossroads & Seven Corners History. “Bailey eventually merged his circus with that of P.T. Barnum, which went on to become The Greatest Show on Earth.” (Submitted on March 18, 2006.)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 7, 2021

2. Bailey’s Crossroads Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,861 times since then and 128 times this year. Last updated on October 19, 2006, by Jeremy Prats of Afton, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.