Few historically significant landmarks survive today within and near Ravensworth’s original borders. A few more are remembered by historical signs placed near their former locations.

Locator map
Click an icon to pop-up a short summary of the landmark and a hyperlink to the landmark’s full content page. Not all of the landmarks presented below appear in the map.

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Buildings

Communities

Houses

Fitzhugh Residences – After 1783, several Fitzhugh family members settled on their inherited Ravensworth property and either built or occupied existing houses for their residences. Locator map

Mills

The Fairfax County Court granted permits for mills, which were established on larger streams. This early industry converted the energy of running water to power machinery for milling grain and other purposes.

Ordinaries and Taverns

The Fairfax County Court licensed individuals to operate a business providing lodging and food to the public. Licenses were for one year and required a security bond. Two recent issues of Fairfax Circuit Court Historic Records Center’s newsletter, Found in the Archives, examine the importance of ordinaries and taverns in everyday life: Ordinaries and Taverns and Ordinaries and Taverns, Part II

Railroads

  • Manassas Gap Railroad – Connected Alexandria to Shenandoah Valley via Orange and Alexandria Railroad tracks to Manassas. Construction of MGRR’s Independent Line roadbed through Fairfax County, intended to replace the Alexandria – Manassas link, never completed due to Civil War.
  • Orange and Alexandria Railroad – Built between 1850 and 1854, connecting Alexandria to Gordonsville; VA.

Roads

Roads are perhaps the most durable landmarks; several are routes laid down in the 18th century, which were the major highways of that era.