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Clifton, Virginia Collection, MSS 03-06, Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library
The Virginia Room staff artificially created this collection over a period of years. Most of the collection came from unknown donors. The Collier County Museum of Naples, Florida donated the Elijah B. Georgia patent on July 17, 1989. Virginia Beach Public Libraries donated the consolidation materials in March 1992. Phylis Salak donated the William Edward Beckwith 1910-11 “Time Book” on October 16, 2017. The Fairfax County Archives transferred the Town of Clifton “$25 Reward” posters in July 2019. Debbie Weaver donated the Myers family’s World War II ration books in November 2019.
Chris Barbuschak, December 2019
EAD generated by Ross Landis, 2023
In 1851, the Orange & Alexandria Railroad constructed trackage through the area now known as Clifton and built stations nearby at Sangster’s and Union Mills. During the Civil War, the United States Military Railroad built a siding between the two depots and named it Devereux Station in honor of Superintendent of Railroads John Henry Devereux. A small town grew up around the railroad siding. In 1868, the name changed to Clifton Station and citizens established a Post Office the following year. The Town of Clifton became a weekend resort destination when Harrison G. Otis opened the Clifton Hotel in the 1870s. On March 10, 1902, the State Legislature incorporated the Town of Clifton, which went on to become the largest town in Fairfax County and the first to get electricity and a high school. The Southern Railway closed Clifton Station in 1956, and the town entered a period of decline. Beginning in the 1970s, new arrivals to the area renovated Clifton’s historic buildings and in 1985, the town was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Clifton, Virginia Collection consist of 0.5 linear feet and spans the years 1876-1992. The collection consists of various ephemera detailing the history of Clifton, Virginia including articles, brochures, a program, press release, correspondence, bumper sticker, an account book, photocopies, World War II ration books, and posters. The consolidation materials include a 1961 “Vote for Consolidation” bumper sticker; pro-consolidation literature; and a press release from Anne Wilkins dated May 10, 1961. Brochures include Clifton Home Tours; Buckley’s Inn; Clifton churches; and Anna Sprouse Day. The page from the January 1, 1906 Fairfax Herald newspaper details notable Clifton businessmen including the Buckley Brothers; J.L. Fristoe; A.J. Kidwell; R.C. Hickey; G.B. Wright; W.H. Mathers; S.H. Detwiler; M.M. Payne; J.B. Cross; J.M. Fulmer; R.W. Woodyard; R.M. Kivett; and F.G. Mayhugh. The “Time Book” for William Edward Beckwith (1880-1961), an African American farmer of Clifton Station, includes financial expenditures and deposits from 1910-1911. The WWII ration books are from the Myers family who lived in Clifton.
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