Fairfax Station was once known as Swetnam, VA

The other day I was at the St. Mary of Sorrows "historic church" at Route 123 and Fairfax Station Road. This church is a wealth of history itself and, in 2008, celebrated its 150th anniversary. Clara Barton nursed soldiers there during the Civil War and Gen. Grant, while on or near the site, had the pews burned for firewood (he had them replaced afterward lest he burn in Hell!). While waiting for a meeting across the parking lot in Old St Mary's Hall, I ran across a picture of the area showing a large reunion of sorts. The picture was dated from 1920 and said "...Fairfax Station/Swetnam, VA 1920." I was immediately curious and was able to find out that the area known as Fairfax Station, VA was once known as Swetnam, VA named after two prominent brothers in the area who owned a general store at the location. They had applied to the postal service for the Swetnam, VA name for "the village." In 1915, the name was changed back to Fairfax Station after the railroad station that served the county seat (City of Fairfax known as "Fairfax City" in the county of Fairfax).

There is an enormous amount of history in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William Counties in Virginia. Of course, Spotsylvania, Stafford, the cities of Fredericksburg, Alexandria, and Manassas are among many others in this history filled state.