1915 Map of Fairfax

About this map

The Fairfax quadrangle, surveyed just before the First World War, reveals a landscape of independent villages and rural crossroads long before the arrival of the modern suburban sprawl. At this time, the county seat of Fairfax and the growing town of Herndon served as primary hubs, connected by a network of historic thoroughfares like the Little River Road and Braddock Road. The Washington and Old Dominion RR cuts through the northern reaches, supporting settlements such as Vienna and Wiehle, while the Southern RR serves the southern portion of the county through Clifton and Burke. Along the winding Bull Run, numerous crossings such as Balls Ford and Evans Ford mark the landscape, highlighting a era when river fords remained critical infrastructure for local transit between Fairfax and Prince William counties. Rural education and community life are grounded by landmarks like the Pleasant Valley School and Lee Chapel.