Monica Adams

Fairfax Station, VA Area Information

Fairfax Station is a beautiful unincorporated community in Fairfax County, Virginia, dominated by rolling hills and lush forests. Fairfax Station was recognized in 2008 by CNNmoney.com as one of the “Best Places to Retire” due to the area having one of the highest life expectancy rates in the nation. The education system in Fairfax County is among the top public school counties in the country.

Fairfax Station History

The Fairfax Station community grew up around the railroad station that the area is named for. The railroad itself greatly influenced the economy and caused Civil War skirmishes in the area. Most of the wounded from the Battles of 2 nd Manassas and Ox Hill were sent from the Fairfax Station depot to Alexandria and Washington hospitals. Today, the railroad station remains as a museum giving light to the area’s rich history. The museum was built by a non-profit, all volunteer organization called the Friends of the Fairfax Station, Inc. The Friends of Fairfax Station offer programs and displays that interpret this history as well as supporting many model railroad clubs and welcome people of all ages.

In 1975, efforts to save the old railroad depot were spearheaded by a group of local citizens led by Lena Wyckoff and the Clifton Community Woman’s Club. Southern Railway donated the building and the Fried and Moore families donated land just up the hill from the original site. The Friends of the Fairfax Station, Inc. received financial and volunteer assistance from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and local groups to reconstruct the station. The museum was built by local high school students and was dedicated in 1987 and the museum opened the following year.

In 1993, a caboose from Norfolk Southern was donated and was professionally painted and stenciled in 2005. The garden and picnic area, an Eagle Scout project, was dedicated in 1999 to founder Lena Wyckoff. A small outdoor stage was built a few years later in memory of Vice President Wheeler Rodgers and a tree planted for Secretary, Dottie Flanagan. Dale Lumber donated a good share of the lumber for our projects. A small addition to the building was added in 2002. A railroad crossing gate with lights was donated by Norfolk Southern. In 2007, several enhancements were made to the property, including the installation of a new fence. In addition, the Providence Chapter of the DAR donated the flagpole and presented the American flag to the historic site. Dominion Valley Garden Club planted the Blue Star Memorial By-Way garden surrounding the flagpole as a tribute to the Armed Forces of America. The museum was painted, deck and stage stained in 2006, compliments of CertaPro Painters and Sherwin Williams. Lawn service is donated by MowCow Landscaping. To learn all this and more about the historic Fairfax Station Railroad, please visit their official website at: http://www.fairfax-station.org/about.html