From May 1807 and until his death in 1861, William Gooding, Jr. maintained a license from the Fairfax County Court to operate an ordinary – a place of hospitality and lodging. The tavern was in his house on land owned … Continue reading →
Role in Ravensworth – owner parcels 1.1.3.6, 1.1.3.7, 1.1.6.7 and 1.1.6.10 William H. Gooding was the second of two sons among the six children born to William and Jane (Davis) Gooding, Jr. He married twice to (1) Margaret R. Howard … Continue reading →
The Gooding family is notable both for the large share of Ravensworth it acquired and for its role in local history during the first half of the 19th century. A little bit is known about several family members. These glimpses … Continue reading →
William Gooding, Jr. claimed he had never “…seen a railroad, though living within sound of the whistle ten years.”1 Yet a railroad right of way ran through his property near his house and tavern on Little River Turnpike. That railroad … Continue reading →
The Orange and Alexandria Railroad was one of the earlier American railroads. The first section was completed between 1850 and 1854 connecting Alexandria through Orange to Gordonsville, Virginia. Building the line required right of way through several miles of Ravensworth … Continue reading →
Role in Ravensworth – owner Parcel 1.1.4.5 William Marbury Fitzhugh was the only child of Richard Henry and Mary Ann (Marbury) Fitzhugh. He was born on May 20, 1817 in the Georgetown community of Washington, DC, where his father was … Continue reading →
Oak Hill Open House After two years off due to Covid-19, the annual in-person open house returned on September 17, 2022. For 2023 and future event plans see the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Oak Hill website. Each year since 2006, … Continue reading →
Significant as well as lesser events worth remembering have occurred in or affected Ravensworth. Test your knowledge of Civil War history in this short quiz – Mosby in Fairfax and Warrenton 1685 – William Fitzhugh (the Immigrant) bought the 21,996-acre … Continue reading →