Remembering Herndon's History

The Crounse Family

The Crounse family was one of a number of northern families that relocated to Herndon during the Civil War era.

  Our last article, “Private French Dulany, C.S.A.” (March 25), was about a young Confederate soldier who was killed in Herndon during the Civil War. That young soldier was buried on a hill where the Crounse house now stands, at the corner of Madison and Monroe Streets. Herndon residents may remember the property as having one of the oldest trees in Herndon, which came down during a storm in 2009. The Crouse family came to Herndon right after the Civil War. In the early 1800s, Herndon was a nameless village that was surrounded by farms. Before, during and after the Civil War, there was in an influx of northern families who relocated to the area from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Maine, and Nova Scotia. Many of those who came…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Remembering Herndon's History: Private French Dulany, C.S.A.

A story of a Confederate soldier who met his demise in Herndon.

As you have learned from our last series of articles about Mosby’s Raid at the Herndon Station, Col. John Singleton Mosby frequently operated his Confederate Cavalry unit around the Northern Virginia area. One man who rode with him in was Private Daniel French Dulany, commonly referred to as “French.” French Dulany was the son of a Union officer, Colonel Daniel Dulany. Col. Dulany was an aide to Governor Pierpoint, an unelected governor of the Union-controlled parts of Virginia during the Civil War. In one of Mosby’s escapades in the Rose Hill area near Franconia, he proceeded to a farm to surprise and capture Dulany, who was residing in a house there. The Colonel initially thought Mosby and his men were Union troops dressed as …

• Photos (4)

Photos & Video: Mosby's Raid on Downtown Herndon

On St. Patrick's Day 150 years ago, Col. John Mosby led a raid on Union soldiers in what is now downtown Herndon.

The Herndon Historical Society and many supporters entertained crowds on St. Patrick's Day as a group of re-enactors took over downtown Herndon for the 150th anniversary of Mosby's Herndon Station Raid.  Mosby and his Rangers led a surprise attack on the First Vermont Cavalry, stationed at the Herndon Depot downtown. The First Vermont had been on guard for 12 hours and presumed the group of soldiers — who wore blue jackets over their gray uniforms — to be their relief.  The Herndon Historical Society and the Herndon Chamber of Commerce sponsored event with support from the Town of Herndon and many local businesses, including: MEDA, HRI Associates, Jimmy's Old Town Tavern, Vision Source - Dr. Finley's Family Eyecare, Aspen Jewelry Designs, …

• Photos (36)
• Videos (1)

Remembering Herndon's History

Who Was John Singleton Mosby?

On Sunday, March 17, Mosby’s Raid on Herndon Station will be reenacted at 11 a.m and 2 p.m. The Herndon Historical Society and the Herndon Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the event with support from the Town of Herndon.

Much has been written about Mosby’s Raid on Herndon Station, but who exactly was Colonel John Mosby? John Singleton Mosby was born in 1833 in Powhatan County, just west of Richmond, Virginia. He was named after his grandfather, John Singleton. When he was a young boy his family moved to Albemarle County, near Charlottesville. He was a small and sickly child. He was often picked on by school bullies, fighting back but always losing. As an adult he was 5’8” and weighed only about 125 pounds. He enrolled in Hampden-Sydney College in 1847. He left that school after two years and later, in 1850, he enrolled at the University of Virginia. He excelled in literature, Latin, and Greek but struggled with math. After being insulted and threatened by …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (2)

Col. Mosby, Rangers to Raid Downtown Herndon in Historic Reenactment

The historic reenactment of Col. John Singleton Mosby's raid on Herndon will take place St. Patrick's Day.

History will come alive in downtown Herndon on St. Patrick’s Day as Col. John Singleton Mosby and his Rangers ride into town. Historical re-enactors will recreate Mosby’s surprise attack on the First Vermont Cavalry, stationed at the Herndon Depot downtown. Reenactments will be held at 11 a.m. as well as 2 p.m. on March 17, along with living history portrayals. The Herndon Historical Society and the Herndon Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring the free event with support from the Town of Herndon and many local businesses. Mosby’s raid will recreate the St. Patrick’s Day in 1863 when troopers from the First Vermont were relaxing at the depot and a nearby sawmill. Herndon and surrounding areas were supposed to be occupied exclusively by Union …

•  1 Comment
• Documents (2)

Remembering Herndon's History

Livestock, Fruit, and Liquor Stores

Another in an occasional series of columns that looks at some of Herndon’s past that can be found in the old Town Council minute books.

This is another in an occasional series of columns that looks at some of the interesting—and sometimes amusing—insights into Herndon’s past that can be found in the old Town Council minute books. From the very beginning, livestock were a topic of considerable interest among the Town’s elected officials. On April 26, 1879, the Council adopted regulations that made it unlawful “to allow horses, mules, hogs, cows, and ox to run at large and graze on sidewalks or highways of the Town.” In furtherance of the cause, two months later—on June 7—it was announced that the first pound for animals picked up running at large had been completed, at a cost of $4.40 for labor and materials. Impounded animals apparently were there on the honor system, …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Remembering Herndon's History

A Herndon Military Hero

Because next Sunday is Veterans Day, we thought it would be appropriate to tell the story of Congressional Medal of Honor winner Wesley L. Fox, a legendary hero within the Marine Corps whose roots are in Herndon.

The Medal of Honor is the highest award that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services. One of those medals was awarded to a Marine who was born in the Herndon area—Colonel Wesley L. Fox. The oldest of 10 children, Wesley Fox was born in 1931 to John Wesley and Desola Lee Fox. They lived off Dranesville Road, not too far outside the Town limits. John, a bricklayer by trade, had a small farm of about 50 acres where he raised cattle, hogs, wheat, and corn. John’s brother, Dave—who lived nearby—also was a farmer. Dave often helped John with his farm. In a recent interview, Fox said that he enjoyed his childhood in Herndon, where the family lived in an old four-room farmhouse with no electricity or plumbing. He recalled …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Remembering Herndon's History

Let There Be Light…And Clean Closets

This is another in an occasional series of columns that looks at some of the interesting—and sometimes amusing—insights into Herndon’s past that can be found in the old Town Council minute books.

Exactly 100 years ago last month the Town began moving toward providing public utilities for its residents. On August 5, 1912, the Town Council passed the Electric Light Ordinance. It said, “it is deemed desirable by the Town Council of the Town of Herndon, Va. that electricity may be introduced into the said Town.” We’re not sure exactly when the contract to the first provider—the Herndon Light and Power Company—was awarded, but on January 7, 1916, the Town Sergeant reported that 16 lamps were lighted “every night when it is necessary and that it would be well to procure more.” Street lamps were a matter of considerable interest. At the October 5, 1917, meeting it was agreed that they would be lit only until 11 p.m. rather than all night…

• Photos (2)

Remembering Herndon's History

Herndon's Old Town Hall

Located in the center of Town on the Town Green, the building we now call the Old Town Hall has had many uses in its 73 years.

Sitting proudly at the corner of Elden and Station Streets is Herndon’s first official municipal building, now commonly referred to as the Old Town Hall. But long before the building was erected in 1939, the Town Hall property served as a center of commerce, government, and community activity. In 1856, the Alexandria and Washington Railroad Company installed a railroad turntable on the property to re-route train traffic. Later, that piece of land became known as a railroad park, a community gathering place. Picnics were held there, and later there were fundraising carnivals sponsored by the Fire Department. The land was owned by Daniel Calyer. In 1861, he sold one half acre of triangular-shaped land to the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (9)