Fairfax County VA History
The history of Fairfax County spans from the early 1600's until the creation of modern day Fairfax, VA. Fairfax was named after Thomas Fairfax after a generous land donation from King Charles. It is known as an important Civil War region and as the leader in innovation during revolutionary times. George Washington and George Mason, who owned homes in the county, both became the visionary leaders of Fairfax and eventually the rest of the nation. It wasn't until the 19th century when Fairfax boomed with economic and population growth from post-war government expansion. The newly invented automobile provided transportation into the city which made living in the suburbs less hectic and more enjoyable than living in the city. Fairfax County transformed from a primarily agricultural industry to a bustling business center. Now twenty-nine thousand businesses and six Fortune 500 companies call Fairfax, VA home. Two cities including Fall Church, VA and Fairfax City, VA are located inside the county's boundaries but operate as two independent cities.
Famous Structures in Fairfax
The Fairfax County Courthouse is the oldest building in the county and has been the blueprint for many courthouses built in Virginia. Former US President George Washington built his home Mount Vernon on the Potomac River in Fairfax along with George Mason's house Gunston Hall located nearby. Fairfax is also home to Fort Belvoir, now occupied by the US Army, on the grounds of Belvoir Manor built by William Fairfax in 1741. The mansion was burned down after the Revolutionary War in 1783.
Fairfax County's Vibe
Fairfax feels like a suburban area with city-like undertones. Filled with white picket fences and big yards, Fairfaxers enjoy the quaint "American Dream-esque" lifestyle. Just a short commute from the nation's capital, Fairfax is filled with people from all walks of life creating the perfect ambiance of contemporary living filled with Northern Virginia tradition.
Shopping in Fairfax County
Those looking to shop in Fairfax need look no further than the largest shopping mall in the DMV area, Tysons Corner Center. This luxurious mall has over 300 shops and restaurants. Did you know Tysons Corner Center was home to the first apple store in the entire world? If dealing with 55,000 shoppers every weekday isn't your cup of tea, Fairfax has many smaller shopping centers throughout the area especially downtown.
Recreation options in Fairfax County VA
Fairfax has fun recreation options for everyone. Some choose to take advantage of its many golf courses and over 390 parks covering over 23,000 acres. Others take the time to go visit historic houses and plantations. Some may enjoy visiting the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Museum; others might enjoy spending the day on the beautiful Potomac River. No matter what your perfect location is, Fairfax can accommodate you.
Where do people live in Fairfax County?
Fairfax County is home to just over 1,000,000 people. Burke, Reston, Annandale, and Herndon have the highest populations in Fairfax but people live all over the county. Some chose to live in the more city-like areas while others prefer the quiet riverside neighborhoods.
Fairfax County VA Transportation
Most of the major Washington, DC area highways run through Fairfax including the Capital Beltway and Route 66. Fairfax has a convenient bus service called the Fairfax Connector that takes riders all over the county. Three metro lines stop in Fairfax including the Orange, Blue, and Yellow lines. The Silver line will be a new addition to the Fairfax metro stations when construction is completed in 2018. The Washington Dulles International Airport, one of the nation's busiest airports, lies partially within the border of Fairfax.
Fairfax County VA Boundaries
Fairfax County covers over 1,000 km2. It is bordered in the North and East by the Potomac River except for in the Northeast corner where it is bordered by Arlington County and Alexandria City. The south border follows the Occoquan River and the East borders Loudoun.
Entertainment and Restaurant options in Fairfax County VA
With its eclectic mix of demographics, Fairfax has a plethora of restaurants to satisfy any craving you may have. For example, Tysons Corner Shopping Center has many good eateries such as Seasons 52 which changes its menu throughout the year and Costal Flats who makes wonderful classic Southern seafood. Fairfax has many great international restaurants such as Mazadar Kabob, Villa Mozart, Jaipur Royal Indian Cuisine, and Courtside Thai Cuisine.
Nightlife in Fairfax VA
Fairfax not only has many things to do during the day but turns into a bustling town by night. For good music rock out at The State Theatre or go to America's National Park for the Performing Arts at the outdoor Wolf Trap theatre. If you're just looking for a drink with friends Fairfax has many popular local bars such as the Auld Shebeen, Blue Iguana, and The Wine House.
Conclusion about Fairfax County VA
Only a short commute from DC, Fairfax is a great town with a ton of history in Northern Virginia. With nationally ranked schools, peaceful and full of life neighborhoods, and centers for entertainment, Fairfax is the perfect place to live.
Photo by Haole Punk
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