City Tour of Occoquan VA

Occoquan is derived from a Dogue Indian word meaning "at the end of the water." It is believed that the Dogues stayed close to the Occoquan River because of the abundance of fish and ease of traveling by canoe.

It was the river and its location, at the head of the tidewater, that made Occoquan a natural site for water-borne commerce, from the earliest days of the settlement of Virginia.

A tobacco warehouse was built as early as 1736, and an industrial complex begun in 1750. Before the turn of the century, Occoquan had forges, water grist mills, tolling mills, a bake house, saw mills, storehouses and dwellings. The Merchant's Mill became the first automated grist mill in the nation. Grain was taken from the holds of ships and off barges, processed, and returned to these carriers by machinery operated by only one man, then transported to markets from Alexandria to the West Indies.

The mill operated for 175 years until it was destroyed by fire. The only remaining part, the miller's office, is now a museum operated by Historic Occoquan.

In 1804, the town was laid off into streets and lots by Nathaniel Ellicott, James Campbell and Luke Wheeler, who are considered the founders of the town.

By 1835, the Gazetteer of Virginia reported that Occoquan had "about 50 dwellings, houses, several mercantile stores and various mechanics," and by 1838 the town boasted one of the first cotton mills in Virginia. Farmers and traders came from as far away as the Blue Ridge Mountains. Those who came to town by horse and wagon spent the day shopping for necessities, before staying overnight at either the Alton or Hammill Hotels.

Occoquan's economy, prior to the Civil War, specialized in a wide variety of goods and services, from ship building and cotton and grist mill products, to trade in cord wood, fish and river ice. The first commercial ice storage house in the area, was built in Occoquan . The ice was harvested each winter and stored for later shipment to Washington, DC. Pine log pilings and railroad ties were also rafted up from Occoquan to Philadelphia and New York.

A mail stage route had been authorized through Occoquan as early as 1805. The Occoquan Post Office therefore became the main delivery point for letters and packages between families in the North and the South. During 1862, the Confederate forces under General Wade Hampton wintered over in Occoquan in the Hammill Hotel, which still stands at the corner of Union and Commerce Streets, before beginning the spring campaign season.

The dawn of the 20th Century saw Occoquan bustling with grocery stores, a lumber and hardware store, drugstore, millinery, churches, school, blacksmith, barber, undertaker, doctor and pharmacy. The Oddfellows Hall became the first opera house in the area, and the Lyric Theater brought people to town from all around. Circuses and traveling shows set up at the public wharf in summer, while skating was the favorite winter activity. Occoquan had become the social as well as commercial center for the area.

However, a fire devastated much of the town in 1919. Route 1 opened soon after, in 1928, and carried traffic away from Occoquan. The Occoquan River silted up, and the new railroad bypassed the town, causing local industries to decline. Finally, in 1972, Hurricane Agnes struck - destroying buildings, sidewalks, streets and the remaining Occoquan Iron-Truss Bridge.

Any one of these events might have been enough to wipe away a small riverfront town, but not Occoquan. Townspeople, merchants and people interested in history repaired, rebuilt and restored the town. They have created a unique place which offers boating and fishing, fine shopping and antiquing, pleasant dining, and a chance to experience a truly special Virginia town.

The Town of Occoquan features a large number and variety of historic homes and businesses. Most have been in continuous use for over 100 years, and many for over 200. Several of these old buildings also feature local ghosts. Some of these ghosts have been authenticated by outside experts, others have been witnessed by residents and visitors to town.
Guide to Occoquan Historical Sites With Present Day Historical Marker Locations

The Occoquan (3) Rt. 1 and Annapolis Way, in 1608 Captain John Smith found the "King's House of the Dogue Indians. In 1729, "King" TM Carter built a landing here to ship copper ore. A town called Colchester was established here in 1753. Occoquan, to the west, was founded in 1804. On December 27,1862, Wade Hampton raided Occoquan.

Town of Occoquan (30) Rt 123, at Occoquan Bridge, Nathaniel Ellicott formally established the town in 1804, bringing to fruition industrial and commercial developments begun 'at or near the falls of Occoquan' by John Ballendine c. 1750. The estuary of the Occoquan has attracted the attention of travelers since the time of John Smith. Adjacent lands were patented by the 16505; copper was being shipped from 'King' Carter's landing, and tobacco from a public warehouse by the 1730s.

Town of Occoquan (31) Corner of Washington and Mill Streets, In 1758 when John Ballendine built his dwelling "Rockledge," at Occoquan, the town began to prosper. By 1765 it was a flourishing industrial settlement with grist mills, foundry and tobacco warehouses. "Rockledge" and a portion of merchants (grist) mill still stand at the west end of Mill Street.

Occoquan Links
Historic Occoquan
Town of Occoquan
Prince William County Public Schools