September 1649
England’s King Charles II grants all land between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers to seven Englishmen
1694
William Fitzhugh receives Ravensworth, the largest single grant in Fairfax County
1732
Truro Parish created, covering all land north of the Occoquan River and Bull Run to Ashby’s Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains
1737
Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax, sets aside 12,588 acres of land for himself near Great Falls – the land that becomes Fairfax County
1742
Fairfax County created, following the same lines as Truro Parish
1797
William Fitzhugh of Chatham, a great-grandson of the original William Fitzhugh, builds the Ravensworth mansion
1848
Orange & Alexandria Railroad incorporated
1850’s
Burke’s Station established, named for entrepreneur Silas Burke
1852
Burke Station’s post office established. Postmaster is John Marshall, Silas Burke’s overseer
April 10, 1865
The Arundels, Burke residents and Union sympathizers, alert Federal troops to a force of Confederates moving toward Burke’s Station to capture mules and trains there. Union troops defeat the force.
1869
Board of Supervisors governing system established
1890’s
Dyer mansion built
1894
Orange & Alexandria railroad joins Southern Railroad
Burke Station public school started at Dyer mansion, enrolls 35 students
1926
Ravensworth mansion destroyed by fire
1939
Burke Elementary School built as project of the Public Works Administration
1951
U.S. government proposes Burke Airport, strong opposition from Burke residents
1958
Airport site moved to Chantilly, becomes Dulles International Airport
1959
Fairfax County Park Authority receives 900 acres of land previously condemned for airport, Burke Lake is built