1956 Map of Herndon

About this map

Herndon and Chantilly anchor this mid-century portrait of western Fairfax and eastern Loudoun counties, showing a landscape on the cusp of significant transition. The area is characterized by traditional small settlements and rural crossroads like Floris, Navy, and Pleasant Valley, many of which grew around institutions like Frying Pan Ch and the Oak Grove Sch. Near the Loudoun and Fairfax line, the National Bureau of Standards Sterling Radio Laboratory represents the era's technological footprint, complemented by the Radio Range Station and various pipelines. Extensive stream networks, including Cub Run, Horsepen Run, and Broad Run, define the topography and historical drainage patterns. Local residential developments like Fairwood Estates and Herndon Heights begin to appear alongside established features like Chestnut Grove Cem, marking the early shifts in land use that would eventually reshape this northern Virginia corridor.