Near Fairfax in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Manassas Gap Railroad
Independent Line
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 16, 2006
1. Manassas Gap Railroad Independent Line Marker
The Independent Line of the Manassas Gap Railroad ran through this area. Conceived to extend the Manassas Gap Railroad to Alexandria, grading on this part of the line began in September 1854. Financial problems stopped the work in May 1857. In various places the roadbed provided shelter from attack and a route for troop movements during the Civil War. The Manassas Gap Railroad merged with the Orange and Alexandria Railroad in 1867. Track was never laid along the Independent Line.
Erected 2003 by The Fairfax County History Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Manassas Gap Railroad, and the Virginia, Fairfax County History Commission series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1857.
Location. 38° 50.831′ N, 77° 20.295′ W. Marker is near Fairfax, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from Shirley Gate Road (Virginia Route 655) south of U.S. 29, on the left when traveling south. Marker is behind the wooden fence that encloses The Cloisters subdivision and can only be glimpsed from the road if the fence gate is open. There is no parking on Shirley Gate Road. Enter the southernmost of
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. World War II POW Camp Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bull Run Battlefields (approx. 1.2 miles away); Richard Ratcliffe's Mount Vineyard Plantation (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Manassas Gap Railroad (approx. 1.3 miles away); Ratcliffe Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfax.
Also see . . . The Unfinished Manassas Gap Railroad. 2004 article by William Page Johnson II in The Fare Facs Gazette, the newsletter of Historic Fairfax City, Inc. (Submitted on September 16, 2006.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 16, 2006
2. View from the Gate in the Fence Along Shirley Gate Road
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 16, 2006
3. Marker from Across Shirley Gate Road
This is why you can't see it from the road unless the gate is open and if you don't blink.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,939 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
