Oral History: Tawny Hammond

Tawny Hammond moved to Fairfax County in 1989 to work with the Fairfax County Park Authority. She discusses the nature of civic involvement in growing, diverse communities.

Oral History: Clara Greinke

Clara Greinke, her husband and three sons moved to the Braddock District in 1960. Roads were narrow and often still dirt-covered. She notes how the area has changed from a woodland rural countryside dotted with ponds for fishing and skating. Active in civic organizations, Clara Greinke remembers working to preserve a strong community as the area developed.

Oral History: Tom Giska

Tom Giska joined the faculty as a science teacher at Lake Braddock High School in 1974, the school's second year in operation. He discusses the growth of the school and historic events in the early history of Fairfax County. Tom Giska has compiled a comprehensive history of the Burke area including people and events.

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: Dan Cragg

Dan Cragg, former Braddock District History Commissioner, traces the history of Braddock District through stories about early families--the Fitzhughs and the Lees, among them. He traces the growth of the railroads through streets now occupied with houses, parks, and shopping facilities. Through careful research, Dan Cragg determined the original location of the Ravensworth mansion, constructed on the Fitzhugh tobacco plantation in 1797.

Oral History: Paul Brown (Jul. 25, 1929 - Sep. 16, 2005)

Paul Brown grew up in Fairfax County. He remembers childhood activities, pickup neighborhood baseball, long bus rides to school, and neighborhood grocery stores. He reminisces about family history and about the days when the Braddock District had no electricity and telephones were party lines. Paul Brown's family lived in Brimstone Hill, whose construction dates to the 1820s.

Oral History: Ernest (Buddy) Belote

Ernest (Buddy) Belote can trace his family roots in Northern Virginia to pre-Revolutionary days. His ancestor, Colonel William Fitzhugh of Bedfordshire, England, purchased about 22,000 acres of land in Northern Virginia and began cultivating what would become one of the largest tobacco plantations in Northern Virginia. The property encompassed the current Ravensworth neighborhood in the Braddock District. After discussing the Fitzhughs, Buddy Belote talks about his career in radio and television news, his daughter's Olympic swimming achievements, and Braddock District development.

A Look Back at Braddock Oral History Project

Oral History: Jennifer Cornelson Addington

Jennifer Cornelson Addington grew up in Old Burke where her family lived in Whiteoaks, the original edifice of the Burke Elementary School. She reminisces about her childhood and neighborhood growth.

A Look Back at Braddock Oral History Project

Burke Station

A new railroad station was built in Burke in 1903, when the railroad tracks were relocated northward several hundred feet to their present location. This building in the photo no longer exists.

Courtesy Tom Giska, History of Burke Slide Collection

Burke Station, Artist's Rendition

This sketch shows the construction and uses of the original Burke railroad station. The Burke Post Office was housed in one end of the station.

Courtesy Bill Sheads