Lorton History

Colchester's Former Life as Port on the Potomac

Former town was once a hub for tobacco, more

An archeological project now underway at the site of the town of Colchester near the mouth of the Occoquan River will undoubtedly produce some very interesting information about what life was like in that colonial port. But surprisingly, there is already a wealth of knowledge on the area assembled in a book written by the late historian and author Edith Moore Sprouse and published by Fairfax County in 1975. Sprouse’s love of history, her unbounded curiosity and her ability to ferret out the most miniscule of details makes this meticulously researched book, "Colchester: Colonial Port on the Potomac," a treasure for those seeking to know more about the history of Colchester. First explored in 1608 by Captain John Smith, this area along the …

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Residents Meet Their Colonial Neighbors

C.A.R.T. Open House Unearths History for Guests

On a Saturday afternoon when many teens were hanging out at the mall, 16-year-old Katie Ingebretsen unearthed several porcelain shards at the site of Colonial Colchester in Lorton. Katie was one of many volunteers working alongside staff archeologists at yesterday's Colchester Archeological Research Team open house. C.A.R.T. is excavating what once was a vital port town on Mason Neck, and will soon become Colchester Park and Preserve.    C.A.R.T. Prehistoric Field Director Kathleen Lowe explained that Fairfax County purchased the 135 acres along the Occoquan River in 2007,  just as it was about to become a housing subdivision. Fairfax County's Park Authority funded $480,000 for the Colchester Archeological Research Team. Five full-time …

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Washington Rochambeau Trail Marked in Colchester

An interpretive display recognizes the site of historic march

The weather on Saturday was terrific for a lot of things, but it was just about perfect for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Mason Neck West Park in Colchester to commemorate the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Trail Interpretive Display. The four-panel display was several years in the making and was completed thanks to the efforts of four different groups: The Lorton Heritage Society, which conceived of the plan; designed by Jerry Lyons of Lyonshare Studios, LLC with advisement from historian Dr. Robert Selig; and the Fairfax County Park Authority, which funded the venture. The site honors the location where, in the fall of 1781, General George Washington and General le Comte de Rochambeau and their troops camped on part of their 450-…

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Sally Spangler

12:28 pm on Saturday, February 12, 2011

Thank you I shall look for the 2 books.   more ›