Jun 1, 2021

Located just 20 miles south of Washington, D.C., and nestled on the shores of Occoquan Bay, Woodbridge, Virginia, is a beautiful community in Prince William County with a long and fascinating history. Whether you live in the area or you’re just visiting, you’re sure to learn something new when you read on to discover the unique local history of Woodbridge.

Woodbridge Before European Settlement

Archeologists believe ancient hunter and gatherer tribes first settled in the Woodbridge area as early as 9,500 B.C. However, they have performed very little research on these first inhabitants because they believe most of their original sites are now underwater and impossible to access.

Around 1500 A.D., the Doeg people, which were one of the Algonquin tribes, settled on the eastern shores of the area and created prosperous villages. At that time, the land would have had deep creeks that drained into the Potomac River. The shoreline of the creeks and river would have been excellent fishing spots. The tribe members were good farmers and would have also hunted the buffalo that roamed through the forests and hills.

Along with the Doeg people, a tribe of nomadic hunters known as the Manahoac also lived in the western portion of Prince William County. Members from other tribes would often travel to the area to search for more hunting grounds and to trade with the Doeg.

Europeans Arrive in the 1600s

Visits from the earliest European explorers haven’t been fully documented. It’s believed several Spanish Catholic missionaries passed through in the late 1500s. However, the first documented European exploration occurred in 1608 when Captain John Smith sailed up the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers. He initially landed in an area that’s now part of the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge.

Over the next several years, Captain Smith led numerous expeditions through the area. He eventually published a map of the region in 1612. This map and his descriptions of the region excited other Europeans, who started to explore the area even more.

Thomas Burbage received one of the first land grants in the area in 1653. This grant included approximately 3,000 acres ranging from the Occoquan River to Neabsco Creek. Around 1663, Martin Scarlet purchased some of this land from Burbage and built Deep Hole Plantation. Later, in 1692, the George Mason family obtained about 534 acres, which would become present-day Woodbridge.

The Mason Family Settles in Woodbridge

The Masons were a prominent family in the Woodbridge area for several generations. The patriarch, George Mason, was one of the authors of the Bill of Rights and constructed Gunston Hall in Mason Neck, Virginia, between 1755 and 1759. Today, you can still purchase tickets to tour this 18th-century Georgian mansion and its surrounding grounds to learn more about the Mason family and the country’s revolutionary history.

Thomas Mason, the youngest of George Mason’s sons, eventually inherited the land from his father. Thomas constructed a plantation on the land and operated a ferry that crossed the Occoquan River. The Mason family owned the land until 1851. At that time, Thomas Mason’s eldest son, Gerard Mason, passed away. The family sold the land to Samuel Troth for $2,000. This sale brought to a close the nearly 160 years of Mason family land ownership in the Woodbridge area.

Woodbridge Gets Its Name

Although the Mason family sold their land, their legacy lives on in the area’s name. To make it easier for people in the area to cross the Occoquan River, Thomas Mason built a ferry. He charged 4 cents a person and horse for people to use his ferry. His competition, John Hooe, started another ferry service in 1791 in Occoquan. In response, Thomas had a wooden bridge constructed between 1796 and 1797. The bridge crossed 105 yards of water, and Thomas charged 6 cents a person and horse for people to use it.

Although Hooe tried to retaliate by building his own bridge near where his ferry operated in Occoquan, it seems as though this bridge was never finished. The community would eventually get its name from Mason’s wooden bridge. Unfortunately, you can no longer see this historic structure. In 1807, a violent rainstorm washed away the bridge, and the Mason family had no interest in rebuilding it.

The Area’s First Courthouse

When Prince William County was developed in 1731, a courthouse for the area was needed. At that time, the rules stated that the courthouse had to be constructed in the center of the county. The community of Woodbridge was centrally located. Although few records of this first courthouse remain, it’s believed it was situated on the waterfront where Belmont Bay is presently located. Historians also believe the courthouse complex contained stocks, a pillory, and a prison.

This courthouse continued in operation until Fairfax County was carved out of Prince William County in 1742. While the center of Prince William County moved to Dumfries at that point, Manassas now serves as the county seat.

Woodbridge Continues to Grow

During much of Woodbridge’s history, the area was home to plantations and farms. During World War II, dairy farms were popular in the area. However, after the war, dairy processing techniques changed, and smaller farms weren’t able to keep up with the new technology. As the families retired, they sold their land to developers. 

One notable example of this trend is Featherstone Farm. This 440-acre was once owned by Frank Chambers. In the early 1940s, Chambers sold his land for development. From this farm, Marumsco Woods, Willowbrook, Featherstone Terrace, and Featherstone Shores were formed. 

Today, Woodbridge continues to grow rapidly. Its close proximity to Washington, D.C. has made it a popular suburb of the nation’s capital. Extensive development of commercial buildings, townhouses, apartments, and new homes support the people who call Woodbridge home.

At Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC, we love exploring the fascinating history of our area. We hope you enjoyed a look at the local history of Woodbridge. Please be sure to contact us and let us know about your favorite part!

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*Image via Flickr by Judy Gallagher