In a bend of the highway as it passes through here, it points out the history of an area that saw a…read morenumber of Civil War encounters between the two armies. The mountain pass is part of the Bull Run Mountains. The main marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Just west is Thoroughfare Gap, where Union and Confederate armies clashed during the Civil War. In July 1861, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston marched eastward through the gap to join Brig. Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard in the First Battle of Manassas. Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson passed by here on 26 Aug. 1862 to attack the Federal supply depot at Manassas Junction. Two days later, Gen. Robert E. Lee and Maj. Gen. James Longstreet surprised and repelled Union cavalry under Col. Sir Percy Wyndham and an infantry division under Brig. Gen. James Ricketts. Ever after, Union troops occupied the gap whenever Lee's army was near." This is marker C-50 and it was erected in 1995 by the Department of Historical Resources. Accompanying the marker is a caption sign. It points out the nearby Beverley's Mill which was used by sharpshooters on both sides to attack or defend the gap. It was damaged by arsonists in 1998. [Review 1028 of 2025 - 1513 in Virginia - 24582 overall]

Vint Hill is located between Gainesville and Warrenton. It is an emerging destination for locals…read moreand visitors. Vint Hill is a historic place. The U.S. Army operated a cryptology school and an intelligence gathering station at the former sheep and cattle farm during World War II. After the war, the Army used Vint Hill for research and development. The Army discontinued use of the property in 1997. Vint Hill now is open to the public. It is a scenic spot that offers many things to do. For food and beverages, there currently is a brewery, a winery, speciality food shop, cafe serving lunch, and more... These places are all located close to the Cold War Museum. There is a public swimming pool open seasonally. The tiny base movie theater still shows movies. There is a popular dog park. There are a number of park areas that are great for jogging, walking, or just relaxing. At the edge of Vint Hill, is Lake Brittle where you can go fishing, or rent a boat (seasonally). There is also a snack bar here open seasonally. Unfortunately, the park areas and the lake both lack bathroom facilities beyond port-a-potties. There are a number of businesses located at Vint Hill and one church that I am aware of. A lot of land is available for development. I heard that an independent coffee shop is slated to open. That would be great. I only hope that development does not get out of hand and ruin the nature areas that exist here. There is already extensive housing on the backside of Vint Hill. Traffic is not a problem here at present. Fingers crossed that new development is not overwhelming and that no more trees are cut down. Check Yelp reviews for the places located at Vint Hill and plan a visit!

Fantastic history. Certainly worth the time to investigate the significance in the state and area.read more

I have driven by many times over the years and I always meant to come back and actually stop to…read morelook at the historic buildings. I finally did and it was worth it. This used to be the Prince William county. There are a number of historic buildings close together that you can view from the outside during a short walk. There is an old jail, school house, church and more. Free parking on site. No bathrooms. It looks like the do tours sometimes. No one was around when I was visiting.

First use of Army Signal Corps (CSA) in Battle. Intact…read moreCivil War redoubt and Memorial marker, and a good view of the terrain leading to Bull Run Mountain. Allow 15 minutes, maximum.

This is one of the most unique elements of living in a city like Manassas…read more At 8:45 A.M. on July 21st 1861 Battle of First Manassas (Bull Run). From this hilltop Capt. E.P. Alexander, CSA, sent America's first battlefield telecommunication: Look out for your left, you are turned. This short message to Col. Evans warning him of Brig. Gen. McDowell's flank march helped turn an impending defeat into a crucial victory, thereby securing for the signal corps a permanent place in the ranks of modern armies. In memory of America's Confederate signal veterans; the first to raise in battle "the bonnie white flag that bears the crimson square."

For safety, I pulled off from I-66 to read and send a few text messages. At this spot off the…read moreroadway, I found a shady spot and this historical marker. It reads, "In 1765, John Marshall, then nine, moved with his family from his birthplace 30 miles southeast to a small, newly constructed frame house one-quarter mile east known as The Hollow. The house built by his father, Thomas Marshall, was his home until 1773, when the family moved five miles east to Oak Hill. After the American Revolution began, Thomas Marshall and his sons, John Marshall, James Markham Marshall, and Thomas Marshall Jr. fought in numerous Revolutionary War battles including Great Bridge and Yorktown. John Marshall later served as chief justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1801 to 1835." As one of the earliest Supreme Court chief justices, there is plenty of information online. John Marshall (1755-1835) He was the Supreme Court's most influential chief justice, Marshall was responsible for constructing and defending both the foundation of judicial power and the principles of American federalism. The first of his great cases in more than 30 years of service was Marbury v. Madison (1803), which established the Supreme Court's right to expound constitutional law and exercise judicial review by declaring laws unconstitutional. Marshall's only formal legal training was a brief course of lectures he attended in 1780 at William and Mary College given by George Wythe, an early advocate of judicial review. Licensed to practice law in August 1780, Marshall returned to Fauquier county and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1782 and 1784. For the next 15 years Marshall's career was marked by increasing stature at the bar of Virginia and within Virginia politics. There is a lot more that I'm cutting for brevity sake. Read up on this great man online. During his tenure as chief justice, Marshall participated in more than 1,000 decisions, writing more than 500 of them himself. [Review 15353 overall, 855 of 2021, number 1337 in Virginia.]

I don't have much experience in general with Chamber of Commerces - but I can say that I've been…read moreimpressed in general with the Greater Warrenton Chamber of Commerce (GWCC). I'm not a member business of the GWCC, nor do I own in a business in Warrenton, VA or Fauquier County. Bit I've gotten to know a number of the leaders of the GWCC and become friends with them. I'm always impressed with the regular schedule of events and outreach executed by the GWCC. They are always looking for ways to help out their member businesses - most of which are small businesses. And they do a lot of outreach to support their non-profit members as well as supporting the surrounding community! Other Chambers could learn a thing or two from the GWCC!

Wonderful, warm, friendly and effective organization made up of business owners committed not just…read moreto their own success but that of every neighboring business. My own business, Great Harvest Bread Co., is successful in some significant measure because of the support we're received from the GWCC since the day we opened out doors. If you own a business in Fauquier County you joining and participating in the GWCC is one of the surest ways to grow your business and get the help you need to reach your goals.

Loving history and graffiti, visiting the Graffiti House was a special treat. Built in the middle…read moreof the 19th century, the house is one of the best examples of Civil War graffiti. Used as a hospital during the War and occupied by both the Union and Confederacy, many soldiers signed their names or added drawings of horses, women, men, and more. The first floor has a little shop, a meeting room, and a restroom. (The restroom has some Civil War graffiti.) It's in the second-floor rooms where the majority of the historic graffiti can be seen along with stories of a few of its artists. It's a small museum open to the public thanks to a foundation, but it's worth your time!

Heads up: Graffiti House is only open from noon to 4p on Saturdays. Sign on the front says those…read morehours will be in place through Dec 2026

Everyone was very helpful, friendly and professional. It was a pleasure dealing with such…read moreprofessionals. Kind Regards, Jim Hoover "Gunny" USMC

The judge here does not make judgement by law or evidence. Instead they make judgement by what they…read more'feel'. Prepared evidences? Sorry, law doesn't matter here. Your capabilities to craft lies matters. Your skin color matters.