Oral History: Robin Hirst

Robin Hirst grew up among influential people when her father, Omer Hirst, served as a Virginia State Legislator. Her family's farm near Burke has been subdivided and developed, but the unique house they built, Hirst House, remains. She shares memories of her childhood, people she met, and her involvement in equestrian sports.

Oral History: John Fox

John Fox was seventeen when his family moved to Annandale in 1939. His father started the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department, and John Fox served with that department. He describes the technology of fire fighting and major blazes facing the volunteers.

Oral History: Irv Denton

Irv Denton moved to Annandale in 1967. He discusses Annandale's history, development and notable people from 1685 to the present day.

Oral History: Stewart Lynn and Becky Bryce

The Bryce family represents four generations of Fairfax County residents. They discuss daily life growing up in the country from the time of dirt roads to present-day development.

Oral History: Dale Adler

Dale Adler grew up on a ten-acre farm just off Braddock Road. Despite her father's lengthy absences as a photographer, the family raised their own produce as well as beef cattle. She recalls her school experiences and the beginning of subdivision growth.

A Look Back at Braddock Oral History Project

Farm, Fairfax County, circa 1910

Fairfax County farmer harvesting a wheat field, circa 1910.

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

Dairy Farm, Fairfax County, circa 1940

The image of cows grazing in a Fairfax County field was a familiar site in the mid-twentieth century in Braddock District. In 1936, dairy farming was the county's largest industry with 100 dairy farms and 440 families engaged in farming.

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

Barn, circa 1930

This barn was located on the Silas Burke House property.

Courtesy Suzanne Fowler Neal

Greenfield

Judge Abner Ritchie built Greenfield in 1885 and named it for the green fields on the property. Judge Ritchie was a gentleman farmer; however, when the Kincheloe family bought Greenfield in 1943, it became a dairy farm. During World War II, the dairy relied on horses until the Kincheloes found a used tractor. Around 1965, the Kincheloe's sold part of the property, which later was developed into Lake Braddock and Greenfield subdivisions. One pond on the farm became Lake Braddock.

Photo by Gilbert Donahue

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