Agnewville, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Agnewville, Virginia
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Extinct unincorporated community
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 Agnewville, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Agnewville, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| County |  Prince William |
| Founded by | The Chinn Family |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.023 km2 (0.781 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Agnewville, also known as Smoketown or Chinntown, was a small community in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. It is now an "extinct" community, meaning it no longer exists as it once did. Agnewville was located west of the town of Occoquan. It was found where Minnieville Road and Telegraph Road meet today. This area was also known as Agnesville.
The community of Agnewville stretched along Minnieville Road. It went from Old Bridge Road to the old Horner Road. Agnewville was an active place from about 1890 to 1927.
Contents
History of Agnewville
Agnewville's story began with land purchased by freed slaves. After the American Civil War, the Chinn Family was freed. They received money from Henny Fielder Roe. In 1889, they used this money to buy about 500 acres of land. This land became the community of Agnewville.
Post Office and Mail Service
The U.S. Post Office in Agnewville opened in 1891. It served the community for many years. However, in March 1927, the post office closed. Mail services for the area were then moved to the Woodbridge Post Office.
Mount Olive Baptist Church
The Mount Olive Baptist Church was founded in 1915. It was built on Telegraph Road. William Wallace Chinn donated the land for the church. This church still serves the area today.
Why Agnewville Declined
Agnewville was located along the main stage road. This road led out of Occoquan, Virginia. The community started to decline when the main highway was moved. It shifted from Telegraph Road to the present-day U.S. Route 1. This new highway went through Woodbridge, Virginia.
Economy and Jobs
The main jobs in Agnewville were farming and logging. People grew crops and harvested trees. These activities supported the community's economy.
Agnewville Today
Most of the land where Agnewville once stood has been redeveloped. This means new buildings and communities have been built there.
Modern Communities in the Area
North of Minnieville Road is now the community of Lake Ridge, Virginia. South of Minnieville Road has also seen a lot of development. Much of the undeveloped land is planned for new homes and businesses. The Mount Olive Baptist Church on Telegraph Road still serves the people living in the area.
Tackett's Mill Shopping Center
The Tackett's Mill shopping center is a major commercial area today. It is considered the heart of modern-day Agnewville. This shopping center was built in the 1970s. At that time, the entire region was growing quickly. The shopping center gets its name from an old grist mill. This mill was originally in Stafford County. In 1983, parts of the old grist mill were moved. They were brought to Prince William County. The plan was to make them into a museum at the center of the shopping center.
Smoketown Road Corridor
Today, the name "Smoketown" often refers to the Smoketown Road corridor. This area is about one mile west of where Agnewville used to be.
