Road and bridge names are often as historical as the areas that surrond them. Often times these names tell us where the road goes, what the road passes, what the bridge passes over or the towns they go through. The name could also tell us about the history of the road or bridge. The name of the road or bridge could be the history itself.
Here are the histories behind the names of some of the roads, highways and bridges in Northern Virginia. Note that like all things historical, these stories are up for interpretation. If you have additions, corrections or questions, please E-mail me.
Backlick Road: Got its name over 200 years ago from the salt licks along the road that attracted deer to the area. These deer were hunted by the Powhatan Indians who were early inhabitants of the area. Based on the amount of artifacts found in the areas near Backlick Road, it is believed that the Powhatan Indians had camps in the area. Backlick Road became an important link between the Little River Turnpike and Telegraph Road during the Revolutionary War.
Braddock Road: Named after General Edward Braddock who commanded British and colonial forces in the French and Indian War. General Braddock is said to have used the road that would bear his name to transport his troops and supplies from Alexandria to Winchester and then to a battle against the French Fort Duquesne near what is now Pittsburgh, PA. Legend has it that General Braddock buried cannon full of about $30,000 dollars of gold coin near a portion of the highway. He did this to lighten the load of his wagons after they got stuck in mud. The gold and the cannon have never been found.
Chain Bridge: A bridge was first built at this site in 1797. It was known as "Fall's Bridge" due to its proximity to the Little Falls of Potomac. The bridge was carried away by high water in 1804. A second bridge, suspended by iron chains anchored in stone abutments, was built in 1808. It was this bridge that came to be known as Chain Bridge. The present bridge, built in 1938, does not use chains, but does use masonry piers which photogrpahic evidence shows were in place in the later 1800's. The present retains the name Chain Bridge.
Colchester Road: Named after a vanished town laid out by Robert "King" Carter. The road itself led to his copper mine.
Columbia Pike: In 1808, the Columbia Turnpike Company was chartered by Congress to build a toll road from Washington, DC to Little River Turnpike in Fairfax County. The road was named for the company that was chartered to build the road. Incidentally, the road never made it to Little River Turnpike. The Fairfax Turnpike Company received the charter to complete the road. Another version of the story behind Columbia Pike says the road was named as such because it was the only road into the District of Columbia (Washington) from the Annandale and Springfield areas until the 1940's.
Dale Street: Located in southern Arlington County this road is named to honor the achievements of Sir Thomas Dale one of the leaders of the Jamestown Settlement. He is credited with doing much to insure the permanence of the Jamestown settlement during critical periods of its history.
Dittmar Road: On February 9, 1907 the Board of Supervisors of Alexandria (now Arlington) County appointed five residents to "view the ground and report to the Board the conveniences and inconveniences that will result as well to individuals as to the public" if a road should be opened as applied for by "G. Dittmar and others." The road would begin at a point near Chain Bridge on Little Falls (Chain Bridge) Road. By December 1907 the viewers reported in favor of what became known as Dittmar Road. Due to community opposition the road was not fully open until April 26, 1909. Today the road still begins at the same point. But the name has been changed and is now known as Glebe Road.
Fairfax Drive: Named for the electric railroad to Fairfax City in Fairfax County. Much of Fairfax Drive paralleled the old railroad. Beginning in the late 1940's after the railroad had ceased operation, the right of way of the railroad was incorporated into that of the road creating a major thoroughfare in some areas.
Gallows Road: This road led to the Fairfax County Gallows which were located in the Freedom Hill area near Tyson's Corner. Offenders were tried in Alexandria and then transported on Little River Turnpike and then on Gallows Road to the gallows themselves.
Glebe Road: See Dittmar Road above.
Hirst-Brault Expressway: The Dulles Toll Road carries this honorary name to give credit to Omer L. Hirst and Adelard L. Brault, members of the Virginia Assembly, who pushed to have the highway consturcted.
Jefferson Davis Highway: In 1922, Virginia General Assembly adopted an Act which provided that Primary Road Number One of the State Highway System would be known as Jefferson Davis Highway in honor of the the only President of the Confederate States of America. Primary Road Number One is now US 1. It should be noted that today the Jefferson Davis Highway designation now starts on US 1 in Prince William County and goes south. Jefferson Davis Highway also follows US 1 in Arlington County. Today US 1 in Alexandria City is Patrick Street going north and Henry Street going south. In Fairfax County the Richmond Highway designation is used.
John F. (Jack) Herrity Parkway: Jack Herrity was a former Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. He was major proponent of the construction of the Fairfax County Parkway. The Fairfax County Parkway carries his name to honor his efforts to get the road constructed.
Key Bridge: The bridge was built in 1923 to replace the old Aqueduct Bridge over the Potomac River. Key Bridge is named after Francis Scott Key who wrote the Star Spangled Banner. Key's home stood near the Georgetown (Washington, DC) approach of Key Bridge.
Lee Highway: Named to commemorate General Robert E. Lee and his contributions to the Confederacy.
Little River Turnpike: The road led from Alexandria, VA to the ford of the Little River in Aldie, VA, hence its name. The Little River Turnpike was chartered as a private turnpike by the Virginia General Assembly in 1795. It was run by the Little River Turnpike Company. The road's toll booth survived for 170 years where it crosses Ravensworth Road just east if the Capital Beltway in Annandale, VA.
Lorcom Lane: Dr. Joseph Taber Johnson bought land north of what is now US 29 Lee Highway in Arlington, VA. He named the property Lorcom Farm after his sons LORen and BasCOM. The lane leading to his place became known as Lorcom Lane.
Old Dominion Drive: Got its name from the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad.
Old Keene Mill Road: The road was named after a mill owned by Mr. Keene.
Ox Road: This road was built by Robert "King" Carter to lead to his copper mine. Oxen were the main users of this road in its early years.
Stone Bridge: The original Stone Brdige carried the Warrenton Turnpike (today's US 29 Lee Highway) over Bull Run in Manassas. Now a restored Stone Bridge stands beside the modern highway bridge on US 29 Lee Highway on the east side of the Manassas National Battlefield Park. Stone Bridge was the site of a Union diversionary attack on Confederate forces.
Telegraph Road: Named for a part of the Washington-New Orleans Telegraph Company line. Built in 1847, it was one of the first telegraph lines built in the world.
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Last Update: 11/21/05