Bealeton, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bealeton, Virginia
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 Bealeton, Virginia
Location in Northern Virginia
Bealeton, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Bealeton, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Fauquier |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.49 sq mi (14.21 km2) |
| • Land | 5.47 sq mi (14.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 324 ft (99 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 4,435 |
| • Density | 810/sq mi (312.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
22712
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| FIPS code | 51-05336 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1499100 |
Bealeton is a community located in Fauquier County, Virginia, in the United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined for collecting population data. Bealeton is found where two important roads, U.S. Route 17 and Virginia State Route 28, meet. In 2010, about 4,435 people called Bealeton home.
Kids in Bealeton attend public schools like Grace Miller Elementary, Cedar Lee Middle, and Liberty High School. The community also has its own post office, which uses the ZIP code 22712.
Contents
Exploring Bealeton's Location
Bealeton is in the southwestern part of Fauquier County. It's easy to get to other towns from here.
Roads and Nearby Towns
U.S. Route 17 goes north about 10 miles (16 km) to Warrenton, which is the main town of the county. If you go southeast on Route 17 for about 27 miles (43 km), you'll reach Fredericksburg.
Virginia State Route 28 heads northeast about 20 miles (32 km) to Manassas. If you travel southwest on Route 28 for about 2.5 miles (4 km), you'll connect with U.S. Route 29 and U.S. Route 15. These roads can take you another 13 miles (21 km) to Culpeper.
Land and Water
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Bealeton covers a total area of about 5.5 square miles (14.2 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a tiny part, about 0.01 square miles (0.03 square kilometers), is water. The water in the area flows south through a stream called Marsh Run into the Rappahannock River.
A Look at Bealeton's Past
Bealeton has an interesting history, especially because of its connection to the railroad and the American Civil War.
The Railroad's Role
Bealeton first became important as a stop on the old Orange and Alexandria Railroad. This railroad later became part of the Southern Railway. You can still see the old train station building in the Bealeton Station area, near the Bealeton Library. It used to be on Bealeton Road, which runs next to the railway tracks.
Bealeton During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Bealeton was a key travel spot. Many small battles and fights happened here. Even though Confederate soldiers were in the area early in the war, Union soldiers managed to push them south. This allowed the Union army to control the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. This control was very important because it let them move supplies deep into southern Virginia.
Changes Over Time
After the railroads became less popular for travel, Bealeton's importance as a train stop faded. It then became a "bedroom community." This means many people who live in Bealeton travel to work in nearby Warrenton or other parts of Northern Virginia. This change was helped by a plan in 1967 that brought water and sewer services to the area. Today, Bealeton still has many large farms. It's a mix of farms, businesses, and homes.
Fun Things to Do in Bealeton
Bealeton offers some unique attractions for visitors and residents.
The Flying Circus Airshow
Since 1970, Bealeton has been home to the "Flying Circus." This is one of the last barnstorming air shows in America. It's open every Sunday from May through October. You can see amazing activities like wing walking, parachuting, and aerobatic performances. You can even take a ride in an open-cockpit biplane!
World's Largest Roller Skate
Bealeton is also home to the world's largest old-fashioned roller skate! It was first made as a parade float for firefighters. In 1978, Hugo Stribling placed it in front of his new skating rink, Hugo's Skateway. The rink has changed owners several times since then.
Morais Vineyards & Winery
Morais Vineyards & Winery opened in 2011. It's Bealeton's only vineyard and winery, located right on Route 17. This winery is known for its Portuguese style. It also has a wedding venue that attracts many people each year.
See also
- In Spanish: Bealeton (Virginia) para niños
