Manassas Historic District--Virginia Main Street Communities: A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary

Visitors Center in Manassas
Photo courtesy of Virginia Main Street Program

Manassas is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Washington, DC and during its history has been an important crossroads where the North and South meet. In the 18th century and first half of the 19th century, this area was exclusively agricultural and part of several large family estates. In the 1850s, Manassas became a key switching point for two railroad lines--the Orange & Alexandria and the Manassas Gap Railroads. During this time, the community was known as Manassas Junction.

In the spring of 1861, Confederate forces seized and fortified the area around the junction. Camp Pickens was established on what is today the entire Manassas Historic District. Tents, sheds and earthen forts were constructed and thousands of soldiers came to Manassas Junction. The First Battle of Manassas, fought July 21, 1861, was a Confederate victory and launched the career of Confederate Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. In March, 1862, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston evacuated Manassas Junction and destroyed all buildings and supplies before the Union troops entered. Union and Confederate armies again clashed at Manassas from August 28 to 30, 1862. The Second Battle of Manassas, also a Confederate victory, opened the way for. General Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North.

With little left of Manassas Junction after the Civil War, William S. Fewell established a town at the junction, and divided some of his land into lots. During the 1870s and 1880s, a business and residential district started to evolve with commercial buildings, houses and churches, including the Manassas Presbyterian Church at 9329 Main Street that includes a Tiffany stained glass window. In 1892, Manassas became the county seat of Prince William County, boosting the city's economy. An impressive Romanesque Revival Courthouse was constructed in 1894 and remains standing today. In 1905, a devastating fire destroyed much of the town's commercial area. Local government passed an ordinance that only allowed for new buildings to be of stone or brick construction. During the 1920s and 1930s, a commuter population started to emerge in Manassas with locals taking a one-hour train trip into Washington, DC in the mornings and back again at night.

[Photo] Manassas Historic District
Photo courtesy of Virginia Main Street Program

As the 20th century progressed, Manassas held steadfast to its historic character in the midst of suburban growth. In 1988, the Manassas Historic District was listed in the National Register, and that same year the city became a designated Virginia Main Street community. Historic Manassas, Inc., the organization that leads the local Main Street program, has worked to renovate: the 1914 train depot into a State visitor center and its headquarters; the county courthouse into the Clerk of the Court offices; the Hopkins Candy Factory, which had been boarded up for 25 years, into an arts center; and the opera house into a gourmet food store. In 2003, Manassas was one of five communities across the country to win a Great American Main Street Award presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This award honors exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing America's historic and traditional downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

The Manassas Historic District is bounded by Quarry Rd., Prescott and Fairview aves., the Southern RR and Grant Ave. Historic Manassas, Inc. is located in the train depot at 9431 West St. It is open 9:00am to 5:00pm, daily. For more information about shopping, dining and events in Manassas call 703-361-6599.

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