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

The Great Falls Line

Photographed By Craig Swain, January 22, 2010

1. The Great Falls Line Marker

Inscription. The Bluemont Branch of the Washington & Old Dominion was not the railroad’s only line. The Great Falls & Old Dominion Railroad arose in 1906 from the vision of two prominent men. Sen. Stephen B. Elkins of West Virginia had prospered through coal, lumber, and railroads in his home state. John R. McLean was involved in several businesses and owned The Washington Post. Elkins and McLean bought land on the Virginia side of the Potomac River at Great Falls. They turned it into a resort, complete with a carousel, dance pavilion, and an electrified trolley line to bring the crowds from Washington. The largely undeveloped land along the line was idea for residential communities, including one named after McLean.

Erected by The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park - Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the NOVA Parks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 38° 54.082′ N, 77° 15.114′ W. Marker is in Vienna, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker is on Talahi Road, on the right when traveling north. Located along the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail, at the access path from

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Talahi Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vienna VA 22180, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Civil War Action at Vienna (approx. ¼ mile away); Electric Trains on the W&OD (approx. 0.4 miles away); James C. ("Jim") Martinelli (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Arlington & Fairfax Railway (approx. 0.7 miles away); Freeman House (approx. 0.7 miles away); Freeman Store and Museum (approx. ¾ mile away); Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vienna.

More about this marker. The background of the marker is a picture of a train on the Great Falls Line captioned, “A small steam locomotive stops at Cherrydale in Arlington, along GF&OD around 1908.” The marker also has portraits of John R. McLean and Sen. Stephen Elkins. A small inset reproduces an advertisement used for the W&OD describing services to Great Falls.

This marker is one of a standard set used along the trail, and is duplicated elsewhere.

Photographed By Craig Swain, January 22, 2010

2. The Great Falls Line Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,081 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.