Orange and Alexandria Railroad Trestle Historic Marker

The Orange and Alexandria Railroad Trestle marker reads, "The original bridge crossing Accotink Creek was built in 1851 as part of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. During the Civil War the wooden trestle was an attractive target for Confederate soldiers. In his 28 Dec. 1862 raid on Burke's Station, Confederate Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart sent twelve men under the command of Brig. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee to burn the trestle. Although termed an 'inconsiderable structure' by the Union press, the raid was alarming to many because of its close proximity to Alexandria. The trestle was quickly rebuilt, allowing the Union to continue transporting vital supplies along the line for the remainder of the war."

Photo by Gilbert Donahue

Copyrighted material, not to be reproduced without permission of owner, Gilbert Donahue

Burke Station Historic Marker

The marker reads: "Burke Station. Burke Station was raided in December, 1862, by Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart. It was from this site, originally the Burke Station Depot, that he sent his famous telegram to Union Quartermaster General Meigs complaining of the poor quality of the Union mules he had just captured." The marker is located next to the former depot at the intersection of Old Burke Lake Road and Burke Road. Later the building housed the Burke United Methodist Church and is currently commercially used.

Photo by Gilbert Donahue

Copyrighted material, not to be reproduced without permission of owner, Gilbert Donahue

Burke United Methodist Church

The Burke United Methodist Church opened in a former Southern Railway train station in 1929. Former school teacher and neighborhood handyman, Willie Harlow, made the steeple and the cross, although he did not attend church services there. The congregation moved to a new location in 1979, and the former depot and church became a commercial building.

General J.E.B. Stuart had raided the old train station in 1862, and a historic marker denotes the event.

Photograph from Fairfax County Public Library, Virginia Room, Photographic Archive