City of Fairfax
Black-crowned Night-Heron, © Paul & Joan Woodward
The City of Fairfax, also known as Fairfax City, is a small, independent city located about 17 miles west of Washington, D.C. Settled in the early 1700’s as a farming community, Fairfax County was formed in 1742 and named after Lord Fairfax, whose family owned all of northern Virginia. The City of Fairfax began as the Town of Providence in 1805, which developed around the Fairfax County Courthouse that still stands today at Main Street and Ox Road in Old Town Fairfax City.
During the Civil War the area was controlled by the Union, but there was disruption and destruction. One notable event was the death of Capt. John Quincy Marr, the first Confederate officer to die in the war, at the June 1861 Battle of the Fairfax Court House. After the Civil War the dairy industry drove the economy, and in 1874 the Town of Providence became the Town of Fairfax, which was still a rural community until World War II. At that time there was growth in housing and business, and the town began moving from rural to suburban. In 1959 the Town of Fairfax deeded land to the University of Virginia to establish what is now George Mason University, which lies along the City’s southern border. In 1961 the Town of Fairfax was incorporated as the independent City of Fairfax with its own services and elected officials.
At the heart of the city is Old Town Fairfax, a historic district with many 19th and early 20th century buildings. Among the interesting places to visit is Historic Blenheim, known for Civil War inscriptions on its walls left by Union soldiers during 1862-63, referred to as a “diary on walls.” There are many other well-preserved buildings in Old Town Fairfax, including the Fairfax Museum and Visitors Center, located in an 1873 public school house. With exhibits, maps, Civil War history and other information about Fairfax City and the general area, the Visitors Center is a good place to start.
Today (2020) the City of Fairfax is a suburban community of 25,000 residents. Within its 6.3 square miles are 25 parks (some are pocket parks or playing fields), about 220 acres of parkland, and 28 miles of trails. Two main waterways are Daniels Run, which empties into Accotink Creek and eventually reaches the tidal Potomac River. Both creeks run through wooded park areas with walking trails, and 3 ponds are associated with them. The area is mostly riparian and upland woods with an average elevation of 312 feet. The birding hotspots in the city are oriented around these creeks and ponds, mostly in the eastern half of the city. Field or scrub type habitats are rare.
Over 165 species of birds have been reported to ebird from Fairfax City as of February 2020. These are typically a mix of woodland and yard birds, including notable migrants like Olive-sided Flycatcher and Black-billed Cuckoo, as well as Wild Turkey (in April) and Northern Bobwhite, both real surprises in this highly developed area. Common Ravens have nested here in 2018 and 2019, producing 6 fledglings over the two years. Although only about 0.6% of Fairfax City’s surface area is water, at least 12 species of geese and ducks have been recorded, including Cackling Geese and a raft of Redheads. Five species of herons have been recorded, most notably the Black-crowned Night Herons that are found regularly here in the late spring through summer months at Ashby Pond and Farrcroft Pond (along Daniels Run trails). Ashby Pond has also attracted an Osprey, which hunted it regularly in late spring and into summer, as well as a Mississippi Kite in summer 2019. Least Sandpiper, and more commonly, Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers visit during migration.
—Paul and Joan Woodward
Hotspots
accessibility & surroundings
The City of Fairfax is about 4 miles west of the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495). VA-236 (Little River Turnpike) and Rt. 50 (Arlington Blvd) go from the Beltway through Fairfax City. Interstate 66 runs along the northern edge of the city, eventually reaching Interstate 81 many miles to the west.
amenities
At least 5 major chain motels are in Fairfax City and more in the surrounding areas. There is a variety of restaurants in the Old Town area and an abundance of restaurants and fast food outlets moving out from there.
sources
City of Fairfax, “Fairfax City Museum and Visitor Center,” https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/historic-resources/fairfax-museum-visitor-center, (accessed 02-10-2020).
City of Fairfax, “Historic Blenheim and the Civil War Interpretive Sites,” https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/historic-resources/historic-blenheim, (accessed 02-10-2020).
City of Fairfax, “Map of History,” https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/historic-resources/map-of-history, (accessed 02-10-2020).