Burke Lake Park Boat Launch Platform, circa 1963

Burke Lake Park is an example of county and citizens groups working together to create a recreational area. In the late 1950s, sport fishing leagues and conservative groups suggested to the Fairfax County Park Authority that a public fishing lake be created. The Park Authority found a suitable location in Burke and initially purchased 218 acres. The lake began to fill in 1961 after dam construction. Stocked with fish for opening day, May 25, 1963, nearly 2,000 anglers attended the opening ceremony. Including the lake, Burke Lake Park occupies nearly 900 acres on land that Fairfax County acquired from the federal government, after local citizens defeated a plan to build an international airport near Burke.

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

Little River Turnpike Historic Marker

On October 28, 1992, a ceremony was held to dedicate the Little River Turnpike historic marker in Annandale Tollhouse Park. Pictured from left to right are: Helen Winter and Arif Hodzic, members of the Annandale Central Business District Planning Committee, Inc. Board of Directors; Supervisor Christine R. Trapnell, Mason District; Supervisor Sharon Bulova, Braddock District; Eileen J. Garnett, Chairman, and Gordon Cole, Vice Chairman, of the Annandale Central Business District Planning Committee Inc. Annandale Tollhouse Park is located at the intersection of Little River Turnpike and Annandale Road.

Courtesy Eileen Garnett

Annandale Beautification, circa 1986

A clown and citizens publicizing the urban renovation soon to take place in downtown Annandale, c. 1986. With the support of the Mason and Annandale (today Braddock) District supervisors, the Annandale Beautification Committee formed and subsequently expanded into the Annandale Revitalization Committee, to improve downtown Annandale.

Courtesy Eileen Garnett

Falls Church District

The Falls Church District preceded the present-day Braddock District. This promotion publication describes the area in 1960. Annandale District was renamed Braddock District in 1992.

Courtesy Robert Hunt

Jean Packard

Jean Packard opens the new office of the Fairfax County Water Authority, circa 1960. Ms. Packard began a career of public service as an activist to improve delivery of county services to her community. She subsequently served as president of the Federation of Citizens Associations and later as chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Photo courtesy Jean Packard

Fairfax County Supervisors, circa 1970

Former Annandale District Supervisor Audrey Moore, second from left, with some fellow Fairfax County Supervisors, many of whom are holding pictures of historic buildings. Ms. Moore holds a photograph of Oak Hill, a historic home in the Wakefield Chapel area of Braddock District. Annandale District was renamed Braddock District in 1992.

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

Moscow comes to Braddock

Fairfax Supervisor, Sharon Bulova meets with Russian visitors to Fairfax County. Braddock District became part of an education in democratic government for local officials in Russia after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1989. The Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. had approached Northern Virginia Community College to instigate dialog between Russians seeking new viewpoints on democracy and capitalism. Northern Virginians first went to Russia in 1992 and an exchange delegation then came to Braddock District. Russian delegations of police, professors, attorneys, and other professionals continued to come to the area, stay with families and visit county government and private companies for the next decade.

Courtesy Sharon Bulova

Annandale Tollhouse, Artist's Rendition

Little River Turnpike was one of the important early roads in Fairfax County and one of the first toll roads in the nation, enabling transport of goods from western Virginia to the Potomac River port of Alexandria. The Turnpike became the first paved road in Fairfax County. Tollgates were established at five-mile intervals between Alexandria and the Little River ford in Loudoun County. The Annandale tollhouse, constructed in 1802, was a voting location when Fairfax County cast ballots to secede from the Union. Annandale Tollhouse Park, at the intersection of Little River Turnpike and Annandale Road, commemorates this historic location

Courtesy Chris Lipsey

Pen/ink sketches by Chris Lipsey. Not to be used without permission of the owner.

Capital Beltway

When the completed 66-mile Beltway officially opened, motorists came eager to drive the full route in a bumper-to-bumper stream. The first section opened in 1961; the road was completed in 1964. The Beltway, called the Circumferential Highway during planning stages, opened with two lanes each way from Springfield to the Cabin John Bridge, and widened to three lanes on the Maryland side of the Potomac.

Dedication photo, courtesy Bill Summmerson

Kings Park Elementary School

A Thursday, November 19, 1964, newspaper article in the Springfield Independent reports on the opening of Kings Park Elementary School, the 121st school to open in Fairfax County.

Courtesy Robert Hunt