Water Towers, Annandale, Virginia

James McWhorter established the Annandale Water Authority and laid pipes for developers coming into the county. These two water tanks on the hill near the corner of Gallows Road and Columbia Pike served 5,000 Annandale homes. The Fairfax County Water Authority purchased McWhorter's Annandale Water Authority in 1958 for $1,250,000.

Courtesy Irving Denton

Marshall Store, circa 1910

Small general stores like the Marshall General Store in Burke, Virginia, dotted the landscape of Fairfax County prior to post-World War II development. By 2006, Braddock District boasted 12 retail shopping centers within its borders and easy access to larger malls in the extended metropolitan area.

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

General Store, Fairfax County, circa 1900

Small general stores dotted the landscape of Fairfax County prior to post-World War II development. By 2006, Braddock District boasted 12 retail shopping centers within its borders and easy access to larger malls in the extended metropolitan area.

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

Burke Street Scene, Artist's Drawing

Artist's rendition of the center of Burke in 1979, showing buildings whose ownership had changed over time. The 7-Eleven store previously held a country general store.

Pen and ink sketch, Chris Lipsey

Copyrighted material, not to be reproduced without permission of the owner

Simpson Family: Top 'o the Hill Gang

Four young friends, (l to r) Bernice Rice, Mildred Simpson, James Wycoff, and Virginia Simpson at Spring Grove Farm, circa 1935. With no electronic entertainment, children played outside and with each other as late as they could.

Courtesy Suzanne Fowler Neale

Child's Doll, Sweetie Pie

Sweetie Pie was the childhood doll of Suzanne Fowler Neal. Sweetie Pie even played the Baby Jesus in a Christmas Eve Pageant at Burke Methodist Church.

Courtesy Suzanne Fowler Neal

Patty's Riding School, Burke, Virginia

Patty Ruffner's Riding School in Burke, Virginia, advertised in the Fairfax Times Herald, June 8, 1956. The advertisement read: "PATTY'S RIDING SCHOOL Near Fairfax at Burke Offers Lessons In Riding and Jumping. Lessons: 6 1-Hour - 12.00. Trail Riding: 8 1-Hour - 10.00. Call Mrs. Ruffner - CR 3-4875."
Patty's was the main riding stable in the local area, and horses could travel across areas that are main roads today. In the 1970s, the Ruffner's sold the land for development and it now forms part of the Rollingwoods Estates subdivision. The original house, called Kings Grant and its outbuildings remain, surrounded by newer homes.

Photo by Gilbert Donahue

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

1928 Buick

1928 Buick with Elgin Kirby, long time Burke resident, at the wheel. Photo taken circa 1937

Courtesy Suzanne Fowler Neal

Lee Highway Drive-In Movie Theater, circa 1950

Lee Highway Drive-in Movie Theater, Merrifield, Virginia, circa 1950. The movie theater was an entertainment center for families, since parents could take children along in the car.

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

Barn, circa 1930

This barn was located on the Silas Burke House property.

Courtesy Suzanne Fowler Neal