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

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

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.

Oral History: Mayo Stuntz

Mayo Stuntz is a descendant of the Fitzhugh family who came to the area in the 1600s. Born in 1915, he traces his genealogy, childhood, and county history. He talks about growing up in the county and its historic sites. Mayo Stuntz is a founding member of the Fairfax County History Commission and he discusses the work of that body.

Oral History, Part 1: Delbert (Bill) Sheads and Elsie Sisson(1921 - 2008)

In Part 1 of two interview sessions, Bill and Elsie (Sheads) Sisson, brother and sister, reminisce about their family, which came to the Braddock District from Culpepper, Virginia, in 1903. They talk about people and places, schools, lumbering and saw mills, and church life.

Oral History: Steve Reynolds

Steve Reynolds calls himself an amateur historian. He developed a haunted history tour of the county, built on legends rooted in history. He talks about his research and the stories.

Oral History: Suzanne (Suzi) Fowler Neal

Suzanne Fowler Neal's family moved to Northern Virginia in the early 1900s. In 1925, they moved into Silas Burke House, which they called Top o' the Hill. Suzi Fowler talks about growing up with a large family living in a historic home, the physical and social history of Burke, and her involvement in the historical society.

Oral History: Laura McDowall

Laura McDowall grew up in Northern Virginia as a child in the post-World War II era. When she and her husband moved to the Braddock District during the 1960s, she volunteered with the county's first anti-poverty agency and continued her involvement in primary health care provision to the community. She later served for 12 years on the Fairfax County School Board and has continued her career of public service in a variety of volunteer positions.

Oral History: Karen Larsson

Karen Larsson moved to Northern Virginia in 1979. She talks about the history of her former home, Ashford House, the Ashford family and the surrounding property originally owned by the Fitzhughs.

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.