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, Part 1: Lee Hubbard

Part 1 of two parts. Lee Hubbard's family can trace its roots in Fairfax County to the 1700s. He discusses his childhood and milestone events. Lee Hubbard became a member of the police department and he talks about criminal cases, traffic, and the growth, administration, and operation of the police department.

Oral History: Bill Hellwig

Bill Hellwig's family moved to Fairfax County in 1952. His father, a civil engineer, conducted studies for developers on the feasibility of land tracts for development, including the preliminary engineering work for most of Springfield. Bill Hellwig joined the Park Authority after college graduation and by 2005 had worked for the Authority for 33 years. He discusses the development of the parks and their programs.

Oral History: John Hawthorne

John Hawthorne grew up in Northern Virginia and talks about childhood, development, and community action against excessive growth. He describes the early years of Ravensworth Farm.

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: 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: Sharon Bulova

The Honorable Sharon Bulova represents the Braddock District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, serving as Vice Chairman. Sharon Bulova initiated "A Look Back at Braddock" and speaks about her goals and her life in the county since 1966.

Railroad Station, Springfield, Virginia, circa 1962

Community residents remember going to the Springfield train station to pick up mail. In the early days, farms surrounded the station. People often stocked up on eggs, corn, and fresh produce during the mail run.

Courtesy Tawny Hammond

Automobile Bridge over Railroad Tracks at Rolling Road

Long-time residents recall the one-lane bridge over the railroad tracks on Rolling Road as a place avoided by school buses and where cars stopped and drivers took turns crossing.

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

Bridge Over Railroad Tracks at Ox Road

This steel truss automobile bridge carried Ox Road over the railroad tracks near Fairfax Station. On June 4, 1944, the bridge collapsed while an Army truck from Ft. Belvoir was crossing the span, killing Pvt. Robert V. Hamilton of Stanley, Kentucky. Thirteen other soldiers were injured in the accident. The first picture shows the collapsed bridge and truck on the railroad tracks. The pre-collapse picture was taken circa 1930.

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