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Prince William County History Prince William County was created by an act of the General Assembly of the colony of Virginia in 1731, largely from the western section of Stafford County as well as a section  of King George County. The area encompassed by the Act creating Prince William County originally included all of what later became Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, the City of Falls Church, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park (and the various incorporated towns therein). The County was named for Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, a son of King George II.The County was a rural community for years and the population was centered in two areas, one at Manassas (home to a major railroad junction), the other near Occoquan and Woodbridge along the Potomac River. Beginning in the late 1930s, a larger suburban population grew up near the existing population centers, particularly in Manassas. The town's post-World War II growth led it to become an independent city in 1975. Beginning in the late 1960s, the County began transitioning into a commuter community of Washington, DC and its population expanded dramatically to the point where, by the end of the 20th century, it was the third most populous local jurisdiction in Virginia. Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 348 square miles of which, 338 square miles of it is land and 11 square miles of it (3.04%) is water. It is bounded on the north by Loudoun and Fairfax counties; on the south by Stafford County; on the east by the Potomac River, across the river is Charles County, Maryland; and on the west by Fauquier County. Government and politics The county is divided into seven magisterial districts: Brentsville, Coles, Dumfries, Gainesville, Neabsco, Occoquan, and Woodbridge. The magisterial districts each elect one supervisor to the Board of Supervisors which governs Prince William County. There is also a Chairman elected by the county at-large, bringing total Board membership to 8. A Vice-Chairman is selected by the Board from amongst its membership. The County operates under the county form of the County Executive system of government, with an elected Board of Supervisors. The Board then appoints a professional, nonpartisan County Executive to manage government agencies. Education Prince William County's school system is currently the second largest in the state. Public schools The Prince William County Public Schools system consists of around 62 elementary, 15 middle, and 10 high public schools, as well as a virtual high school, two traditional schools, five special education schools, and two alternative schools. Private/Religious schools Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School (opening 2008) St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School - Triangle, Virginia St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School - Woodbridge, Virginia All Saints School - Manassas, Virginia Seton School - Manassas, Virginia Holy Family School - Dale City, Virginia Emmanuel Christian School - Manassas, Virginia Colleges Northern Virginia Community College – Woodbridge Campus and Manassas Campus Universities George Mason University – Prince William Campus Strayer University – Woodbridge Campus and Manassas Campus University of Northern Virginia – Manassas Campus Sports The Potomac Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team located in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Nationals play in the high-A Carolina League and are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Northern Virginia Royals are an American minor league soccer team located in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Royals have minor league affiliation with D.C. United, Washington, DC Major League Soccer franchise. Located In Manassas is the Historic Old Dominion Speedway. Opened in 1948, It was the location for the first commercial drag race held on the east coast. It was also stop on the NASCAR Grand National (Now Sprint Cup Series) schedule in the late 50's through the early 60's. It still holds weekly drag races, and NASCAR sanctioned races. Museums The National Museum of the Marine Corps is the new historical museum of the United States Marine Corps. It is located in Triangle, Virginia and is free to the public. National Parks Prince William Forest Park  Prince William Forest Park was established as Chopawamsic Recreational Demonstration Area in 1936 and is located in eastern Prince William County, Virginia. The park is the largest protected natural area in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region at over 15,000 acres. Manassas National Battlefield Park Manassas National Battlefield Park, located north of Manassas in Prince William County, Virginia, preserves the site of two major American Civil War battles: the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, and the Second Battle of Bull Run which was fought between August 28 and August 30, 1862. Transportation Airports Washington Dulles International Airport Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Manassas Regional Airport Stafford Regional Airport Public Bus Service Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) is the public transportation system in Prince William County, Virginia. Services provided by PRTC include OmniRide, OmniLink, and OmniMatch. Commuter Rail Service Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is a commuter rail service that connects the Northern Virginia area with Washington, DC. Towns and other localities Incorporated towns Four incorportated towns are located within Prince William County: Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Quantico Unincorporated communities Aden, Agnewville, Antioch, Bethel, Brentsville, Bristow, Buckhall, Buckland, Bull Run, Canova, Catharpin, Cherry Hill, Cornwell, Dale City, Featherstone, Gainesviell, Greenwich, Hoadly, Independent Hill, Lake Ridge, Linton Hall, Lock Lomond, Montclair, Nokesville, Quantico Station, Rixlew, Southbridge, Sudley, Sudley Springs, Thoroughfare, Triange, Wellington, West Gate, Woodbridge, Yorkshire Independent cities The independent cities of Manassas and Manassas Park are surrounded by Prince William County. Prince William, Manassas Park, and Manassas are combined for purposes of criminal, traffic, civil, and juvenile and domestic relations courts within Circuit 31. The Courthouse Complex itself is located in a Prince William County enclave surrounded by the City of Manassas. The County Government Administration Complex is in the unincorporated community of Woodbridge but its mailing address states its location as 1 County Complex Court, Prince William, Virginia 22192. Other important features Prince William Forest Park, the second largest National Park Service property in the Washington, D.C., region Marine Corps Base Quantico, a large military installation Manassas National Battlefield Park, an important Civil War battlefield  Nissan Pavilion, a large concert venue Potomac Mills, the 10th most popular tourist destination in Virginia and largest outlet mall in the region. Old Dominion Speedway, A race track in Manassas, VA featuring a 1/8th mile drag strip, and a NASCAR sanctioned 3/8 mile high banked oval track Check out these additional sites for more information about Prince William County: Prince William County, VA (official website) Prince William County Public Schools Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce Prince William County, VA weather The Common Wealth of Virginia Prince William County VA real estate, Prince William County real estate, Prince William County homes for sale, Prince William County, VA real estate, Greater Washington real estate, Prince William County homes, Prince William County properties, Prince William County property, single family homes in Prince William County |
