Clifton in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Union Mills Historic Site

September 13, 2008

1. Union Mills Historic Site Marker

Inscription. In the late 18th century, following the American Revolution, this area of Fairfax County began to be referred to as Union Mills. Covering five or six square miles between Popes Head Run and Johnny Moore Run, it was recognized for its water powered mills. In addition to milling, local industries included talc quarrying, farming, grazing and lumbering.

During the Civil War, Union Mills became strategically important to the Confederates due to the routing of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad through the region and as a defensive position for Manassas Junction. Ironically, Union Mills’ location, which should have assured its success, led to its decline as nearby Clifton developed into a railroad and lumbering center.

Overgrown mill races, the quarry outcropping and the remaining Confederate fortifications, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, are all reminders of Union Mills history.

Union Mills is a Fairfax County Historic Site.

Location. 38° 47.664′ N, 77° 25.697′ W. Marker is in Clifton, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker is on Balmoral Greens Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Currently, the only available parking is on the shoulder of the road. Pedestrian access is currently

Close-up of Map on Marker image. Click for full size.

September 13, 2008

2. Close-up of Map on Marker

accomplished from the shoulder of the road and along unimproved foot paths. Marker is in this post office area: Clifton VA 20124, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. McLean Farm (Yorkshire Plantation) (approx. 1.1 miles away); Wilmer McLean after the Civil War (approx. 1.1 miles away); Wilmer McLean’s Yorkshire (approx. 1.1 miles away); Ivakota Farm (approx. 1.3 miles away); Blackburn’s Ford (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Blackburn’s Ford (approx. 1.3 miles away); Mitchell’s Ford (approx. 1.6 miles away); Old Dominion Stone Company Millstone (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clifton.

Also see . . .
1. Confederate Fortifications Historic Site. Fairfax County Park Authority General Management Plan (Submitted on September 14, 2008.)

2. Tour Photo Gallery - Union Mills. From Bull Run Civil War Round Table. (Submitted on February 19, 2010.)

Categories. • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil •

September 13, 2008

3. Union Mills Historic Site Marker

The marker is largely overgrown and difficult to see from the road.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on September 14, 2008. This page has been viewed 4,292 times since then and 103 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2008. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.