The Guide to Living in Northern Virginia

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

The History of Northern Virginia

Among the many regions that comprise the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, few compare to Northern Virginia.

Primarily located in Virginia’s Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, Northern Virginia comprises what many consider to be the social and economic engine of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

An early establishment of the American colonial era, the region that today defines Northern Virginia was among the vast holdings of Robert King Carter, the Virginia resident land agent of Thomas Fairfax, 5th Lord Fairfax of Cameron.

As was the case with many Colonial era establishments throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Northern Virginia was long home to a vast Native American population.

In the late 17th century, the port city of Alexandria, Virginia was established and would soon become one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most important centers of trade and commerce.

During the American Revolution, Northern Virginia saw significant military action, including the pivotal Battle of Yorktown in 1781.

Then again in the 19th century, with Northern Virginia serving as a major hub for the American slave trade, it served as a theater for many of the most pivotal battles during the American Civil War, including the Battle of Bull Run in Manassas, Virginia and the Battle of Brandy Station in Culpeper, Virginia.

During the period of Reconstruction following the end of the Civil War, Northern Virginia began to rebuild and expand rapidly with the arrival of the railroad and the growth of the federal government creating new opportunities for industry and commerce.

Throughout the 20th century, Northern Virginia continued to grow and change with the construction of major highways and the expansion of the suburban housing market into more rural areas of Fairfax County along Route 50 and Loudoun County along Route 7.

Today, Northern Virginia is among the most desirable places to live and work in the United States, including popular towns such as McLean, Virginia, Arlington, Virginia, and Great Falls, Virginia.

In addition, Northern Virginia serves as the home to many of the world’s largest public and private institutions, including Mars, Capital One, Marriott, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Freddie Mac.