On East Broad Street (State Highway 7), on the right when traveling east.
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
On South Washington Street (U.S. 29) at Hillwood Avenue (Virginia Route 338), on the right when traveling north on South Washington Street.
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
On East Fairfax Street at South Washington Street (County Route 237), on the right when traveling west on East Fairfax Street.
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
On South Washington Street (County Route 237) at East Fairfax Street, on the right when traveling north on South Washington Street.
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
On East Fairfax Street at South Washington Street (County Route 237), on the right when traveling north on East Fairfax Street.
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
On South Washington Street (U.S. 29) just south of Tinner Hill Road, on the left when traveling north.
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
On South Maple Avenue just north of Wallace Street, on the left when traveling south.
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
On Annandale Road at Gundry Drive, on the right when traveling east on Annandale Road.
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
Near West Annandale Road east of Gundry Drive, on the right when traveling east. Reported permanently removed.
"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
On South Washington Street (U.S. 29) at Hillwood Avenue (Virginia Route 338), on the right when traveling north on South Washington Street.
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
On Tinner Hill Road just south of South Washington Street (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling south.
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
On Tinner Hill Road just south of South Washington Street (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling south.
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
On Washington and Old Dominion Trail west of Grove Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
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
On Tinner Hill Road just south of South Washington Street (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling south.
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
On South Washington Street (U.S. 29) 0.1 miles south of Tinner Hill Road, on the right when traveling south.
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
On South Washington Street (U.S. 29) 0.1 miles south of Tinner Hill Road, on the left when traveling north.
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)
On Tinner Hill Road south of Lee Highway (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling south.
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
On South Washington Street (U.S. 29) 0.1 miles west of Tinner Hill Road, on the left.
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
On Tinner Hill Road just south of South Washington Street (U.S. 29), on the left when traveling north.
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
On Washington Street / Lee Highway (U.S. 29) at Tinner Hill Street, on the right when traveling west on Washington Street / Lee Highway.
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
Near East Fairfax Street at South Washington Street (U.S. 29), on the left when traveling east.
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
On South Washington Street (U.S. 29) at Tinner Hill Road, on the left when traveling north on South Washington Street.
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
On Washington Street (U.S. 29) at Broad Street (State Highway 7), on the right when traveling south on Washington Street.
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
On Grove Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
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
On North Oak Street, on the right when traveling south. Reported missing.
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
On East Broad Street (State Highway 7) at Cherry Street, on the right when traveling east on East Broad Street.
(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
On Park Avenue west of North Maple Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
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
On Wilson Boulevard west of Leesburg Pike (Virginia Route 7), on the left when traveling east.
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
On West Broad Street (State Highway 7) at West Annandale Road, on the right when traveling east on West Broad Street.
(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
On South Washington Street (U.S. 29) at Hillwood Avenue (Virginia Route 338), on the right when traveling north on South Washington Street.
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
On Grove Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
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
