The Fairfax County Courthouse

a new outlook and spirit. Something of this spirit was reflected in the following quotation from

her advantages and possibilities appreciated; yet, today she is attracting settlers from all parts of the Union, and even from foreign c

rit that had prevailed during the long years of reconstruction. It expressed a feeling of confidence that came

r Turnpike from the courthouse.

thouse a

e, and by becoming the residential area for increasing numbers of employees of the Federal governmental establishment. These elements of the economy of Northern

c, that made both of these developments possible at this time. The critical impor

n and Alexandria; while all sections of it are within a few hours' drive of these citi

the Atlantic Coast Line, are hourly passing through this county, affording convenient and direct connection with all parts of the country. Every section of the county is within easy reach of some one of these roads; and with their double track f

ity in the world, together with the splendid natural advantages of Fa

nitial segment of the first transcontinental highway running westward from the zero milestone on the ellipse in Washington-the paving of roads became a major concern of local communities. Both free public highways and toll turnpikes built by subscription and bond issues

of the State established local boards. The Chairman of the Board of County Supervisors automatically became Chairman of the Health Board in this early experiment in public he

counties the option of adopting various managerial forms of government if they so desired. Fairf

s and administrative functions, were appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and served either for specified terms or at the pleasure of the Board. The Supervisors continued to be elected by the County's voters, each from one of the magisterial districts. This method of election was adopted deliberately as a me

the neighborhoods and communities formed civic organizations or citizens associations to provide means for group action on problems of common concern. Parallel to these groups, oth

granted-had a profound effect on the County's historic outlook on public affairs. No longer was it accepted that certain families or individuals held among themselves the privileges, powers and obligations of governing. This tradition, symbol

functions, ceased to be able to contain all the County's offices as early as the 1920's. An additional building was authorized, but delays in financing and construction postponed its completion until 1934.

orld War II, and then because of problems of funding this work amid other urgent demands for tax revenue. Ultimately, both shortages were relieved, and work was begun on the central block and s

rmation of Fairfax from a town into a city in 1961 added a complicating factor to this issue for it meant that technically the County had no control over the land on which its seat of governme

truction had been completed on a County Governmental Center, later named the Massey Building, to honor Carlton Massey, the first County Executive, who ser

urthouse complex. Photo by the Off

, the Massey Building, and downtown F

ouse building and its 1953 addition, all in an architectural style reminiscent of the colonial period in Virginia. The presence of the past combine with a sense of the present and

FOR CH

l and Historical Sketch of Fairfax County, Virginia,

Old Dominion," (Unpublished doctoral disser

f Supervisors, Industrial an

irginia Good Roads Convention, (Roanoke: Stone Printing, Co., 1894) held in Richmond in October 1894. As to the effects of the rise of automotive travel, see Fairfax County Chamber of Comme

County Gover

ard of Supervisors, Ann

g was the architect of this project. As with previous expansions of the clerk's

v. 5, 318; v. 9 (1939–40), 501; v. 10 (1941–42), 175; v.

of Supervisors, Minute Book

ton offered 50 acres for the use of the courthouse, and Tyson's Corner and the inter

04. The courthouse commissioners were Charles Little, D

00,000 bond issue for this project. The bonds were approved by the voters, and the building was built on a 35-acre tract belonging to Mary Ambler, which was condemned by the city and then purchased by