History is what Centreville Day, the Friends of Historic Centreville, and our sister organization, the Historic Centreville Society are all about! And Centreville has some pretty cool stories to tell. Take a look at our FHC History Blog or the Millrace Archives to read some of those stories. Check out some cool history resources or explore local historic sites. Need more history? Take a look at the Bull Run Civil War Roundtable website or the Fairfax Historical Society, or reach out to the Fairfax County History Commission, each district is represented by a Commissioner.
Centreville was chartered as a town in 1792, but its history began long before that with the arrival of paleo-Indians 12,000 years ago. Centreville is located on a high ridge with good views of the western landscape and access to water. It’s a natural travel-way and an inviting place to settle. European settlers arrived in the 1720s, and by the 1760s, they had established a thriving crossroads village called Newgate. When the Virginia Assembly authorized town status for Newgate, the town name changed to Centreville.
Centreville has experienced good times and hard times. Perhaps its most dramatic period was during the Civil War when the town was occupied alternately by Union and Confederate troops. It was the staging ground for the battles of First and Second Manassas. Although the war nearly destroyed Centreville and its surrounding farms, the town did slowly recover as the people reclaimed the land and made it bloom again. This recovery was given a boost in the early 20th century with the arrival of the automobile and paved highways.
Centreville has evolved from a post-Civil War rural town, through a mid-twentieth century farming community, to a suburban area. What will the future hold? For all the future generations of Centreville, it is important that we strive to preserve Centreville’s rich historical heritage and to be certain that heritage includes the contributions and stories of all of the peoples who shaped Centreville.