Six Historic Markers Unveiled
The community and our elected officials turned out in force to see the unveiling of six historic markers on Saturday, November 21st, 2009. Between 175 and 200 people were on hand to witness the event at the crossroads of the W&OD Trail and Hunter Mill Road. Members of the History Committee have been working steadily over the past two years to complete the research and submission process for the six markers that were dedicated. They worked with four different sponsoring organizations to bring important parts of our history to light; VA Dept of Historic Resources, Fairfax County History Commission, Civil War Trails, and the W&OD Trail.

Proceeds from the sales of our products along with funds from W&OD, W&OD Friends, and the Fairfax County History Comission made it possible to place so many markers. Chairman Bulova noted that the placement of six markers at once may in itself be a historic moment in this county.

See the Markers Look in the 'Other nearby markers section to link to the other markers, namely Hunter Station, Crossroads to war, Terror by the Tracks.

Event Photographs

History Committee members that worked to make this all happen standing by the Terror by the Tracks marker
are Charlie Balch, Tom Evans, Jim Lewis, Steve Hull, and Bob Eldridge.

Civil War Artifacts Along Hunter Mill Road
Author and Historian Tom Evans, a resident of the corridor, researched the Civil War action along Hunter Mill road in the early 1970's. He also searched many sites along the road looking for artifacts and evidences of the actions for which he found documentation. Tom has graciously allowed us to photograph and display part of his collection here. View the Collection here.

History
The Hunter Mill Defense League serves a scenic Fairfax County, Virginia, community that is twenty miles from the nation's capitol, near Vienna and Oakton, Virginia.  The community is connected by an historic 7.5 mile, tree-lined roadway.  Hunter Mill Road sets a tranquil tone and sense of pace for area residents.  Its essential winding path through wooded glades and gently rolling hills remains unchanged since the 1600s, when it was a prominent ridge trail used by Native Americans.  During the County's colonial period, it became the market road for many leaseholds and some large estates located along its way.  It was the site of major troop encampments during the Civil War.  The road was named for George Washington Hunter, a prominent landowner and miller, who established the prosperous Hunter's Mill on the banks of Difficult Run stream.

Modern residential development has been at very low density and sensitive to the prevailing rural landscape.  Those who live in the Hunter Mill Road corridor take pride in their natural and historic surroundings.  They have traditionally demonstrated an unusually high degree of civic participation and community spirit.

History Tours
Jim Lewis of the HMDL History Committee has created a Civil War bus tour of the sites along the corridor. It covers more that just the war period and is most entertaining. Organizations such as Vienna Parks and Recreation, the Reston Community Center, and the Bull Run Regional Civil War Roundtable have sponsored numerous tours that have been very well received.  Check the Webstore to see if tickets are on sale, otherwise, if you would like to be informed of upcoming tours, please send Jim and email at: antietam1862@verizon.net

The History Committee of the Hunter Mill Defense League submitted a preliminary request for Historic District designation to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in September 2001.  The Committee has collected photographs, interviews, court documents, book and newspaper accounts which describe the history of the road since colonial times. On the 7.2 mile roadway, there are more than fifty points of interest with heritage value.

In 1966, Congress passed the National Historic Preservation Act and created the National Register of Historic Places to officially recognize structures, sites, objects, and districts that embody the "historical and cultural foundations of the nation."  Since 1966, there have been nearly 100,000 listings on the National Register, with several thousand in Virginia alone.  Listing on the national or state registers informs owners, local planners, and government agencies of the existence of an historic resource.  However, it places no restriction on use of private property or construction of public projects.  Benefits of registry listing include Federal and State Rehabilitation Grants and Tax Credits for owners of historic buildings. When a formal nomination for an historic district is submitted, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources advises all property owners and invites their full participation in the review process.

By 1912 the school’s enrollment was at capacity, the property was then sold and converted to residential use. It was later used as a hardware store, and since the mid 60’s was part of the Appalachian’s Outfitters store, a local landmark for decades.

Through the efforts of HMDL and much community support, the Hunter Mill Road corridor has become eligible for registration in the National Register of Historic Places.  The school is one of several historic sites in the corridor.

Its relocation and renovation was in part due to involvement of HMDL representatives.  Daniel Sponn led the effort and we are grateful to him and his team for their efforts in this very time consuming process.

In 1994 the County and concerned citizens explored options of what to do with the well-worn vacant former Appalachian Outfitters store.  HMDL raised awareness of a key Federal law requiring evaluating its historic significance and consideration of preservation options It is likely the Federal law would have been overlooked if it were not for HMDL’s participation.  

Chevy Chase Bank purchased the property, and for the next three years worked through the federally required process.  The State determined that not only the Oakton School House was historically significant, but that it also contributed to the “Oakton Crossroads Historic District” which included the old Appalachian Outfitters Store (since demolished), and the Methodist Church on Route 123.  The Federal review process resulted in a mitigation plan agreed to by Chevy Chase Bank and the County to relocate the historic schoolhouse, restore it and subsidize its maintenance.

Oakton Schoolhouse

Supervisor Linda Smyth had a key role in working with all parties in the relocation and preservation of the schoolhouse. The Friends of Oakton School House, a community-based volunteer support group, will assist the Fairfax County Park Authority with maintenance and interpretation. There are no plans for public access inside the structure at this time.