Virginia, Old Town Fairfax Historical Markers

March 18, 2023

Confederate Memorial

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1 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Confederate Memorial — Dedicated 1890 — Old Town Fairfax —

It was erected to the memory of "the gallant sons of Fairfax whose names are inscribed on this monument but whose bodies lie buried on distant battlefields and their 200 unknown comrades whose remains are at rest under this mound." — — Map (db m218374) HM

2 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Dr. William Gunnell House — Built c.1835 — Old Town Fairfax —

It was in this house that Ranger John Mosby captured the Union area commander Brig. Gen. Edwin H. Stoughton, in bed, the night of March 9, 1863. — — Map (db m6233) HM

3 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Draper House — Built c.1820 — Old Town Fairfax —

Built by Dr. Samuel Draper, this house probably served as his office and examining rooms. Many of the buildings adjoining the house were constructed as out-buildings. — — Map (db m6298) HM

4 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Efe Quality House — Built 1930 — Old Town Fairfax —

The home was built on top of the Manassas Gap Railway right-of-way which was the railway started before the Civil War. This railway construction was disbanded during the Civil War. The house was renovated in 1992 by Dr. Johnson A. Edosomwan. — — Map (db m6296) HM

5 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Fairfax Hay & Grain Store — Built 1900 — Old Town Fairfax —

This vernacular, commercial building is a typical example of construction at the turn of the century. — — Map (db m6286) HM

6 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Fairfax Herald & Print Shop — Built 1900 — Old Town Fairfax —

The Fairfax Herald was established in 1882 by Capt. S. R. Donohoe, who, in 1904 moved it to this small, one-story frame structure. The Herald remained in operation until 1966. — — Map (db m129153) HM

7 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Ford Building — Built c. 1835 — Old Town Fairfax —

This was the home of Antonia Ford, imprisoned as a spy following Ranger Mosby's night capture of the local Union commander, Brig. Gen. Edwin H. Stoughton, March 9, 1863. A search of the house had revealed an honorary aide-de-camp commission to . . . — — Map (db m6366) HM

8 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Historic Fairfax Elementary School — Built 1873 — Old Town Fairfax —

This is the oldest, two-story, brick public school house in Fairfax County. Bricks were made from a clay pit on the Farr property across Main St. The original portion of this structure, the rear, was built for then considered exorbitant cost of . . . — — Map (db m6303) HM

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9 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Joshua Gunnell House — Built c.1830 — Old Town Fairfax —

The first skirmish of the Civil War occurred on Main Street June 1, 1861. Ex-Governor, "Extra Billy" Smith, a civilian, ran from this house to take charge of the Warrenton Rifles. Their commanding officer, Capt. John Quincy Marr, had been killed, . . . — — Map (db m6258) HM

10 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Moore House — Built c.1840 — Old Town Fairfax —

During his March 1863 raid, Ranger John S. Mosby searched here, with no success, for the Union mercenary Col. Percy Wyndham who had called Mosby a horse thief. Mosby had replied that the only horses he had ever stolen had Union troopers on their . . . — — Map (db m168981) HM

11 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Nickell's Hardware — Built 1895 — Old Town Fairfax —

An example of venacular commercial architecture, a popular construction type at the turn of the century. — — Map (db m6278) HM

12 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Old Town Hall — Built 1900 — Old Town Fairfax —

Joseph E. Willard, who served as lieutenant governor of Virginia and minister to Spain, built Old Town Hall and gave it to the town in 1900. He was said to have been the most influential political figure in Fairfax County at the turn of the century. . . . — — Map (db m6361) HM

13 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Pozer Garden — Old Town Fairfax —

Pozer Garden honors Kitty Barrett Pozer, who owned the adjacent historic Ratcliffe-Allison House from 1927 until she bequeathed it to the City at her death in 1981. Mrs. Pozer had a lifelong interest in horticulture and was the Washington Post's . . . — — Map (db m129149) HM

14 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Ralston's Store — Built 1895 — Old Town Fairfax —

This vernacular, commercial building is a typical example of construction at the turn of the century. — — Map (db m6295) HM

15 ► Virginia, Fairfax — Ratcliffe-Allison House (Earp’s) — Built 1812 — Old Town Fairfax —

This is the oldest house in the City of Fairfax and the first city-owned building to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places (1973). The oldest section of the house, the eastern portion, was built by Richard Ratcliffe around 1812 to . . . — — Map (db m6261) HM

16 ► Virginia, Fairfax County, Fairfax — Fairfax Court House — Built 1800 — Old Town Fairfax —

This building is on the National Register of Historic Places. George and Martha Washington’s wills were recorded here and still remain in this complex. Confederate President Jefferson Davis reviewed strategy in the tavern across the street with his . . . — — Map (db m6259) HM

17 ► Virginia, Fairfax County, Fairfax — Old Fairfax Jail — Built in late 19th Century — Old Town Fairfax —

The original “gaol” (1802) burned down in 1884. The Alexandria jail was used until this building was completed. The last jailer, Mr. William F. Lowe, and his family lived in the front quarters of this building until 1954. The structure is of the . . . — — Map (db m6256) HM

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