Virginia

In Clarke County, the spirits of the past bring history to life.

The ghost of a brokenhearted Confederate soldier stares out a window waiting in vain for the return of the love of his life. Victims of a plane crash still linger at the scene of the tragedy forty-five years later. Union troops are still crossing the Shenandoah River through a hail of musket balls and cannon fire. From the legendary phantom coach of Carter Hall to lesser-known haunts along the county's back roads, a rock-throwing poltergeist, a smoky figure in a bedroom and strange creatures lurking in the woods, Michael Hess brings you the very best in Clarke County ghost lore.

Although geography plays a significant role in a place's identity, it is the people and their stories that make an area special. Loudoun County is one such place, a county known for its charm and unique
personality. Over the past 250 years, the county has drawn a truly eclectic population from across the world, and these different immigrant groups have shaped the county's history with their churches, schools, and businesses--all still clearly visible into the twenty-first century. Loudoun County: People and Places highlights the everyday life of its
citizens throughout the county, capturing in word and image the local flavor of Leesburg and the county's many historic towns and villages. Possessing a strong religious presence, Loudoun County is dotted with many old churches, representing a wide network of beliefs and faiths,
and this volume takes readers on an extraordinary visual tour showcasing their beautiful exteriors and diverse architectural styles. Throughout the rest of the work, readers will encounter scenes of forgotten one-room schoolhouses, posed snapshots of early faculty members and students, and different views around the county that capture early businesses, local celebrations, and famous homes. This book also features a chapter on the photographs of Winslow Williams, a prolific local studio photographer whose work has preserved many scenes and familiar faces
around the county.

Chesterfield County, created in 1749 and located in the central region of the state, was part of one of the original shires of Virginia. Bordered on the east by the James River and on the south by the Appomattox, the land and its riches drew the Jamestown colonists to travel here to establish a second English colony. Chesterfield played an important role in the Revolutionary War as a training ground for soldiers as well as providing its sons to serve. During the Civil War, the residents again volunteered, and from them
emerged four prominent generals of the Confederate army. In the late 1800s, the area known as Bon Air served as a summer retreat from the heat of nearby Richmond with summer cottages and hunting lodges. Since then, the county has grown and prospered with new manufacturing facilities moving in, residents establishing new neighborhoods, and the local government building roads and schools to bring the same freedoms that attracted the original colonists to the area.

McLean, Virginia, a whistle stop along the Great Falls & Old Dominion Railroad, came about in 1910. It was named after John R. McLean, publisher of the Washington Post newspaper and an owner of the railroad. This was a farming community that never incorporated. A few of the families instrumental in the formation of the village that followed were Mackall, Laughlin, Storm, Carper, and Smoot. Because of its proximity to the nation's capital, McLean attracted people from all walks of life. But it was the arrival of the Kennedy families in the late 1950s that put McLean on the map. The thread that holds the community together is spirited volunteerism. This volume contains images of a few of the personalities who give McLean a sense of place. The majority of the photographs have been donated by individuals to ensure that history does not lose these significant personalities, past or present, who left an imprint on their community.

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, rural landscapes, rivers and streams, lush valleys, and quaint villages, Rappahannock County has retained its natural beauty for more than 250 years. The abundance of rich soil and pastureland attracted settlers to the area in the 1800s. As the population grew, small communities and mill towns sprang up throughout the county, becoming centers for business and social interaction. These early settlers left an indelible mark on the landscape, and their legacy defines the region. The county retains its rich architectural history through its representation of period homes and buildings, many dating to the early 1800s. Barns, mills, stone walls, and farmhouses are common sights along the miles of rural roads. The county is quickly earning a reputation as a culinary destination due to the growing number of superb vineyards and sumptuous dining establishments that dot the landscape. Rappahannock County remains a rural gem where descendants of those early settlers cherish their heritage.