Located on 2.1 acres of land purchased by Joseph E. Birch for $105 in 1849 (part of 1837 24.5-acre Kidwell grant). Original house was 1 1/2 story "I" house, raised to 2-stories in 1850s; 1873 addition doubled the size. Blacksmith/farmer Birch was on . . . — — Map (db m2858) HM
The Emerging City
1920 - 1950
From Horses to Highway
Prior to the 1920s, local roads were winding and narrow, cheap to build, and easy to maintain as they followed the land's contour to accommodate horses and wagons. . . . — — Map (db m206635) HM
This Georgian-style church designed and built in 1767-69 by James Wren, related to Sir Christopher, replacing the 1733 frame structure on 2-acre lot (part of 1729 248-acre Trammel grant). Washington and Mason were vestrymen. After the 1788 . . . — — Map (db m2870) HM
The Civil War dramatically affected this 1769 Anglican/Episcopal church that stands before you. The congregation disbanded as the war broke out, with some families fleeing the village. Confederate forces occupied the church in August and September . . . — — Map (db m72085) HM
The first church on this site was built in 1734 and was in Truro Parish. George Washington was elected a vestryman, October 3, 1763. In 1765 the church fell within the newly created Fairfax Parish, of which Washington was chosen a vestryman. The . . . — — Map (db m4189) HM
The first modern schools in the county (James Lee Elementary, 1949, Luther Jackson High, 1954) were built on land provided by black families. — — Map (db m187025) HM
The ordinance passed, but the CCPL won by preventing its enforcement. In 1918 the CCPL became the nation's first rural chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. — — Map (db m186882) HM
circa 1699
"Big Chimneys," is thought to be the first permanent structure built on land that is currently within the Falls Church City limits. The building was named for its two prominent brick chimneys. Placed in one of the chimneys was a . . . — — Map (db m191974) HM
"Big Chimneys," named for its two large brick chimneys, was probably the first permanent structure on the land that is today within the City of Falls Church. The home stood just east of this sign. The year "1699," inscibed on a chimney-stone, is . . . — — Map (db m192006) HM
The Story of Falls Church
The community located just 10 miles from the nation's capital and today known as Falls Church boasts a history rich in culture and diversity.
The People to 1700
Native Peoples and Their Land
For . . . — — Map (db m206631) HM
This historic site is a testament to the long African American struggle to gain equality and civil rights. It also honors a moment of triumph for the human spirit.
African American life in Falls Church predates the 1700s. Enslaved . . . — — Map (db m151023) HM
This sculpture by Martha Jackson Jarvis, is a historical marker, and a symbol as well as a work of art.
The Zig Zag runs along the line that divides the Tinner Hill neighborhood into the City of Falls Church and Fairfax County portions. The . . . — — Map (db m187038) HM
The 100-ft wide W&OD has been called "the skinniest park" in Virginia. But it is also one of the longest parks, 45 miles of paved trail for walking, running, cycling and skating and more. Built on the roadbed of the former Washington & Old . . . — — Map (db m214558) HM
Charles H. and Mary E. Tinner in 1890 paid $375 for 2.5 acres here (part of 1724 1,291-acre Pearson Grant), built a home on the crest and later provided lots from that property for their children. They farmed the land, quarried granite from the . . . — — Map (db m151022) HM
Tinner Hill is named for the Tinner family who purchased land across the street in the late 1800s. Descendants still own homes and live there. — — Map (db m186959) HM
At the foot of what is now Tinner Hill was a large deposit of pink granite (Trondhjemite), found in just three places in the world. — — Map (db m186961)
An early rural branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded here on Tinner Hill. In 1915, the Town of Falls Church proposed an ordinance to segregate black and white residential sections. Local African . . . — — Map (db m55735) HM
Tinner Hill Heritage Trail features the history of African American families who lived in Falls Church since the 18th century. It honors their contributions to the City and civil rights legacy that influenced the state and the nation. — — Map (db m186945) HM
This historic site is a testament to the long African American struggle to gain equality and civil rights. It also honors a moment of triumph for the human spirit.
African American life in Falls Church predates the 1700s. Enslaved and free . . . — — Map (db m187039) HM
This monument commemorates the inhabitants of the Tinner Hill area who risked their livelihoods and their lives to defend the principles of the U.S. Bill of Rights. Constructed by the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation Dedicated June 5, 1999 . . . — — Map (db m4203) HM
To the glory of
God
and in honor of
George Washington
who was a vestryman
in 1765 of
the old Falls Church
Built A.D. 1734
This tablet was placed by
the Falls Church Chapter,
Daughters of the
American Revolution
October . . . — — Map (db m77601) HM
Today (2016) the Tinner Hill community includes generations of descendants that return to socialize at the James Lee Community Center, worship at Second Baptist and Galloway churches, and take part in family and neighborhood events. — — Map (db m187034) HM
Town was incorporated in 1875. A simple frame town hall was built here about 1880 on 1/4 acre (part of 1729 248-acre Trammell grant). Town Hall bell was rung for council meetings and fires. Later used only for police station. Torn down in 1953. Town . . . — — Map (db m2871) HM
The railroad that became the Washington & Old Dominion was born in Alexandria in response to the competition in shipping posed by the port in Baltimore, which was served by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The B&O was diverting farm produce from the . . . — — Map (db m2902) HM
Accidents happened on the Washington & Old Dominion. Mishaps resulted from washouts of the roadbed, loose rails, rotting ties, or from livestock wandering across the tracks. Crew negligence also played a part. One of the earliest and most serious . . . — — Map (db m2899) HM
(Text on Front of Marker): Alexandria-Leesburg Pike, chartered in 1813, was completed after 1838. An 1862 map shows a house and tollgate on four acres bought by John Williams in 1857 (Part of 1837 24.5-acre Kidwell grant). An older tollhouse . . . — — Map (db m125848) HM
We, the members of Blue and Gray Post 225, of Falls Church, VA. dedicate this site to the brave men and women who made the supreme sacrifice in the wars to protect our freedom and our great nation, on this day and year of our Lord, November 11, 1997. — — Map (db m206638) WM
Thousands of Vietnamese refugees immigrated to the U.S. after the fall of South Vietnamese capital of Saigon in April 1975. Proximity to Washington, D.C., made Arlington a popular location for settlement. A vibrant enclave of businesses, known as . . . — — Map (db m200292) HM
(Front Side of Marker): The Duryee home and 11 acres were bought by Mattie Gundry in 1899 for $2,500 (part of 1773 22,75-acre Gunnell grant). On this site she opened the Virginia Training School for retarded children. At that time, it was the . . . — — Map (db m125844) HM
Virginia Village
1815 - 1861
Turnpikes and Tolls
Falls Church's location was close to the nation's capital and an essential stop along the route from Alexandria's port on the Potomac River to Leesburg and the western . . . — — Map (db m206633) HM
In 1912, from the station that stood nearby to your right, you could board a modern interuban passenger coach at 7:34 a.m. and arrive in Georgetown by 8:00 sharp. It was a new century and Washington, D.C., was on the move. The demand was heavy in . . . — — Map (db m2901) HM
Famous ordinary believed to be part of Federal-style mansion built on 145 acres bought for $291 in 1787 by James Wren (part of 1742 208-acre G. Harrison grant). Lying north of Alexandria-Leesburg Rolling Road, tavern operated 1789-1815 under James . . . — — Map (db m2842) HM