Colchester, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colchester, Virginia
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The former Fairfax Arms
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 Colchester, Virginia
Location in Northern Virginia
Colchester, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Colchester, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Fairfax |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Colchester is a historic community located in Fairfax County, Virginia. It sits right on the Occoquan River. An "unincorporated community" means it's a small area without its own local government, but it's still a recognized place.
Contents
Discovering Colchester's Past
Colchester was once a very busy port town. It was officially started in 1753. This port was important for shipping tobacco, which was a major crop back then.
How Colchester Grew and Changed
The town was located on an old main road. This road was used for mail and travel between different places. A man named Thomas Mason, whose father was the famous George Mason, ran a ferry here. This ferry helped people cross the Occoquan River.
In 1798, Thomas Mason built a wooden bridge over the river. But sadly, this bridge was washed away by a flood around 1807.
Colchester's Last Original Building
Today, only one of Colchester's very first buildings is still standing. It's called the Fairfax Arms and is located at 10712 Old Colchester Road. This building used to be an "ordinary," which was like an inn or a tavern where travelers could eat and stay. Now, it's a private home.
Why Colchester's Importance Faded
Colchester's busy port days didn't last forever. The main reasons for its decline were:
- The tobacco trade became less important.
- The river started to fill up with dirt and sand, making it harder for big ships to use the port.
- Most of the shipping business moved to other nearby towns like Alexandria and Occoquan.
Getting Around Colchester: Roads and Railways
Colchester was once a stop on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad. This railroad line is now used by CSXT, a large freight railroad company.
Major Roads Near Colchester
Today, big highways like Interstate 95 and the Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) are just west of the Colchester area. These are major routes for travel in Virginia.
Local Roads with History
Some of the roads that once led to Colchester are still used today.
- Colchester Road in Clifton is part of Route 612.
- Old Colchester Road runs north and eventually turns into Telegraph Road, which leads to Alexandria. This road is part of Route 611.
- Further away, the Snickersville Turnpike was also known as Colchester Road a long time ago.
Notable People from Colchester
Colchester has been home to some important figures in American history.
- Archibald Henderson: He was a very important military leader. He served as the longest-serving Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. He held this top position for a long time, from 1820 to 1859!
- Alexander Henderson: He was Archibald's father. Alexander was a member of the Virginia General Assembly, which is Virginia's state legislature. He also represented Virginia at the Mount Vernon Conference in 1785, an important meeting about trade.
- William Grayson: He was a General during the American Revolutionary War. After the war, he became one of Virginia's first Senators in the United States government.
