Historic Centreville | Park Authority

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Centreville sits at a crossroads of history

Historic Centreville 1930

A network of roads from towns like Alexandria and Warrenton brought merchants, artisans, and farmers. Those roads also carried enslaved people and indentured servants to the community. During the Civil War, the town's location drew the armies from both sides of the conflict. Centreville's history is an intersection of opportunities and challenges. The result is today's modern, diverse suburban community.

Want a glimpse of what it was like to live in Centreville in days past? In Historic Centreville Park, you can see homes from two time periods and walk through Civil War fortifications. Mount Gilead House, which was also a tavern, was built around 1785. About 150 years later, the Spindle family built their home. We call it the Spindle Sears House because it came as a kit from Sears, Roebuck & Company.

The Road West, 1785–1850

Centreville got its name because of its central location, where many roads came together. People who settled here came from different nations, classes, faiths, and races. Some lived and worked freely. Others were enslaved. The town became a bustling community, building on the trade and travelers passing through. Centreville supported stores, tanneries, smithies, and stables. Town founders hoped to make it a manufacturing hub. Local taverns, such as the Black Horse Tavern, became social crossroads that connected the community to the wider world.

The Road to War, 1861–1865

Early in the Civil War, Confederate forces took advantage of Centreville’s location at a crossroads atop a ridge. They cut down acres of trees to build huge fortifications and camps. Throughout the war, the Union and Confederate armies each occupied the area. Constant troop movements and raids made it almost impossible for residents to keep livestock or grow crops. The war devastated the whole town. For many years after the fighting ended the Centreville community struggled to recover. You can still see the earthwork defenses and walk the Covered Way.

The Road to Modern Day, 1917–1937

As World War I ended, the country's economy improved. More and more people owned cars. And when Lee Highway was paved, they could drive those cars into the city, where more jobs were available. This meant that average workers could own a home close to a major commuting route. The old town began to remake itself into a middle-class suburban community.

One development that made houses more affordable was the inexpensive kit home. Each kit contained all the materials, from the foundation to the roof, and the instructions for the homeowner to assemble it. These homes helped meet the housing needs of the middle class, especially during the Depression Era of the 1930s. An example of a kit home stands across the street, where the Spindle family built their Sears, Roebuck & Company “Brentwood Home” in 1935.

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Centreville sits at a crossroads of history

Centreville Historic Overlay District

Follow the many roads that led people to settle in Centreville over time.

The Road West, 1785–1850

The Road to War, 1861–1865

The Road to Modern Day, 1917–1937

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