Historic Hunter Mill Road

Updated on January 6, 2023 by Julie McCool

Historic Hunter Mill Road, runs through Oakton, Vienna, Reston, and Great Falls, and it's an interesting historic drive, except during rush hour. You can learn more about important stops along Hunter Mill Road, a designated Virginia byway, from these articles and websites.

Hunter Mill Station in Reston VA
Hunter Mill Station in Reston

Unveiling the history of Fairfax County's Hunter Mill Road – Washington Post

Hunter Mill Road was as popular a shortcut during the Civil War as it is today… Running from Route 123 in Oakton to Route 7 in the Herndon/Great Falls area, Hunter Mill is still the straightest line connecting Fairfax City and Vienna to points north.

Historic photo of Hunter Mill Road
Historic Hunter Mill Road intersection with Hunter Station Road

Hunter Mill Defense League

In 2001, the HMDL submitted a preliminary request for Historic District designation to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

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The Committee has collected photographs, interviews, court documents, book and newspaper accounts which describe the history of the road since colonial times. On the 7.2 mile roadway, there are more than fifty points of interest with heritage value.

historic markers on Hunter Mill Road
Historic markers by Hunter Mill Road

The league has been instrumental in researching and advocating for the installation of historic markers to commemorate important events that occurred along the road.

The Battle of Hunter Mill illustration

The December 21, 1861 Harper's Weekly newspaper illustrated a skirmish between two companies of the Pennsylvania cavalry and a large rebel force near Hunter Mill.

Fairfax Cross County Trail and W&OD

A portion of the Fairfax Cross County Trail follows the Washington & Old Dominion bike trail, crossing Hunter Mill Road near Hunter Station. There is a small parking lot that offers access to the trail and several interesting historic markers related to Civil War activity around the road.

CCT from Hunter Mill Rd
CCT / W&OD trail from Hunter Mill Road

Here are some additional photos taken along the historic Hunter Mill Road before the big snowfall of February 2010:

If you enjoy scenic drives with history, you might also like:

Article by Charles McCool, independent travel writer, speaker, and consultant. Find more of Charles travel tips and destination advice at McCool Travel.

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