Somerville, Virginia facts for kids
Somerville is a small, quiet community in Fauquier County, located in the state of Virginia. It's not a big city or town, but rather an "unincorporated hamlet." This means it's a small group of homes and businesses that isn't officially governed as its own town.
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Discover Somerville's Location
Somerville is about two miles (3 km) west of a large military base called Marine Corps Base Quantico. Imagine a big diamond shape on a map, bordered by major roads like US 15, US 17, I-95, and SR 234. Somerville sits right in the middle of this area, which is mostly countryside.
How to Find Somerville
The closest main road to Somerville is US 17, which is over six miles (10 km) away near Morrisville. This shows you how rural and peaceful Somerville truly is! The main intersection in Somerville is where Midland Road meets Bristersburg Road.
What's in Somerville?
Even though Somerville is small, it has a very important spot for the local community.
The Heart of Somerville
The only retail store in the area is called Groves Store. It also houses the Somerville Post Office. People sometimes jokingly call this spot "Downtown Somerville" because it's the main gathering place. You won't find many other mailboxes or homes right nearby, making it a truly unique and quiet place.
How Did Somerville Get Its Name?
The exact story of how Somerville got its name isn't fully known. However, many places get their names from important families or people.
A Name with History
The name "Somerville" might come from a noble family. One idea is that it's linked to "Saint-Omer," a town in France. A knight named Sir Gualtier de Somerville, who was part of William the Conqueror's army in 1066, might be connected to the name. This family's history was even written about in a book edited by the famous writer Sir Walter Scott in 1815.
Somerville's Original Spot
Interestingly, Somerville wasn't always exactly where it is today. The Fauquier Historical Society says that Somerville was first located at a place called "Ensor's Shop." Now, it's a bit further away, at what was once known as "White Ridge." You can still see a farm called White Ridge Farm today, keeping that old name alive.
