Catlett, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catlett, Virginia
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 Catlett, Virginia
Location in Northern Virginia
Catlett, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Catlett, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Fauquier |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.24 sq mi (8.40 km2) |
| • Land | 3.22 sq mi (8.33 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
| Elevation | 270 ft (80 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 297 |
| • Density | 92/sq mi (35.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
20119
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| FIPS code | 51-13624 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1492729 |
Catlett is a small community in Fauquier County, Virginia, in the United States. It's called a census-designated place (CDP) because it's a special area defined by the government for counting people. In 2010, about 297 people lived there. Catlett is located west of the Prince William County border. Long ago, it was an important stop on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. This area saw many attacks on the railroad during the American Civil War.
Two important historical sites near Catlett are the Catlett Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, and the Auburn Battlefield, added in 2011.
Contents
History of Catlett
Many small towns in Virginia, like Catlett, grew up because of the new railroad system. This system was vital for travel and moving supplies. Catlett became a busy place for sending telegraph messages and mail along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad.
The land where Catlett is now was first given to John Catlett in 1715. However, the town wasn't named after him at first. The post office and town were originally called Colvin's Station, named after the Colvin family. Over time, the name changed to Catlett Station, and then simply to Catlett.
Civil War Skirmishes
Catlett was the site of important battles during the American Civil War. In one key event, Confederate Major General J. E. B. Stuart attacked Union Major General John Pope's camp. This raid happened on August 22, 1862. The Confederates wanted to stop the Union's train supply lines.
Stuart and his soldiers started their attack on a very dark night. They rode into town, using their swords and fire to destroy the Union camp. They cut telegraph wires and took wagons full of supplies. They also captured almost 300 Union soldiers. However, they could not destroy the railroad bridge outside of town. A big thunderstorm stopped them from burning it. Union soldiers with rifles also kept them from using axes to break it.
The most important thing the Confederates got was General Pope's secret orders. These orders had vital information about the Union's plans. Stuart took these orders to General Robert E. Lee. This information helped the South win the Battle of Second Manassas.
Later in the war, Colonel John S. Mosby led his cavalry unit in another raid. On May 20, 1863, he tried to disable a train engine on the same rail line. This fight did not go well for Mosby's smaller unit. The Union troops had more soldiers. Mosby's unit retreated after damaging the engine with a Howitzer cannon they had captured the day before. The Confederate troops lost 5 soldiers, had 20 injured, and 10 were captured by the Union forces.
Where is Catlett?
Catlett is in the southeastern part of Fauquier County. It is next to Calverton to the southwest. Virginia State Route 28 goes through Catlett. This road leads southwest to Midland and Bealeton. To the northeast, it goes through Nokesville in Prince William County to the city of Manassas. Warrenton, which is the main town of Fauquier County, is about 12 miles (19 km) to the northwest by local roads.
The Catlett CDP covers about 3.2 square miles (8.4 square kilometers). A small part of this area, about 0.03 square miles (0.07 square kilometers), is water. The western and southern edges of Catlett are formed by Cedar Run. This stream flows into the Occoquan River, which then flows southeast to the Potomac River.
People in Catlett
According to the 2010 census, 297 people lived in Catlett. Most of the people in Catlett are White. There were 251 White residents, making up 84.5% of the population. The only other group recorded was African-American, with 46 residents, or 15.5% of the population. The 2010 census data showed no other ethnic groups living in Catlett.
All of the people living in Catlett are citizens of the United States. The average age of people in the town was 56.2 years old. Catlett has 144 households. The community is fairly well-off, with the average household earning about $78,198 per year.
Schools in Catlett
Children in Catlett go to schools run by Fauquier County Public Schools. H. M. Pearson Elementary School is located right in Catlett. For middle school, students are zoned for Cedar Lee Middle School. For high school, they attend Liberty High School. There are also many private schools available in both Fauquier County and the nearby Prince William County.
Public Services
Catlett, like much of Fauquier County, has a volunteer fire department. Engine Company 7 helps fight fires in buildings, vehicles, and brush. They also have two ambulances to help people in emergencies. Engine Company 7 is a volunteer group with over 80 members. It was formed when two groups joined together: the Catlett Volunteer Fire Company (started in 1962) and the Cedar Run Volunteer Rescue Squad (started in 1973).
Community Development
Growing the community has been a bit tricky in Catlett. This is because of the local "blackjack" soil, which is dense and moist. This type of soil doesn't absorb water well. Because of this, about one-third of the community's septic drain fields have not worked properly.
In December 2011, the county board of supervisors voted against a plan to build a large sewer system. This system would have supported 225 homes, 45 apartments, and 85,000 square feet of commercial space. This sewer system was offered as a trade for changing the land's zoning rules. As of 2018, building such a sewer system was estimated to cost about $10.9 million.
See also
In Spanish: Catlett (Virginia) para niños
