It was during the early parts of 1700 when farmers, once living in VA and Maryland, moved to this rural area to start farming. There is an interesting fabled story about this area: a Confederate Major John S. Mosby and his rangers’ raid captured a sleeping Union General Edwin Stoughton on March 9, 1863, but it can’t be proven.

It was during the late 19th century that the area went from conflict during the Civil War to one of commerce trading as dairy was a big commodity. This set into motion an economic boom with the building of churches, barns, schools, homes, and businesses. Of course, it was during the 20th century that changes came to Fairfax. Namely, restaurants and hotels materialized on an important route from VA to Washington, D.C., due to advancements in technology and transportation. Along with the changes, Fairfax High School became the first four-year high school in 1935.

It was after WWII that Fairfax County’s economic growth really took off with rapid growth in the areas of housing, business ventures, and population. Fairfax County quickly changed from a rural country to a booming suburban town. Over the years, the county continued to grow, including building what is known as George Mason University, a creative leader in higher education. Today, Fairfax County continues to grow and welcomes a multi-national community.

Fairfax was named in 1742 after Thomas the Sixth Lord Fairfax, Baron of Cameron. The Baron was the first of his family to live on what was known as the Fairfax Land Grant, provided by King Charles I who had been exiled in 1649. The Baron’s father had married Catherine, the only daughter of Lord Culpeper, who had acquired the whole land. It was after that Lord Fairfax (as Thomas, the Sixth Lord Fairfax, Baron of Cameron was known) moved to VA for good during 1747, where he became good friends with George Washington, who was the land surveyor at the time. It pays to know people.