A little-known park’s role in Civil War and aeronautics history may get a refresh as Falls Church celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday this year.
The Falls Church250 Committee is discussing options for sprucing up Fort Taylor Park, making it more accessible to the public and spotlighting the important history that took place in 1861.
“A lot of people are not aware” of the park or what occurred there, Jim Coyle, who chairs and represents the Economic Development Commission on the panel, said on April 13.
Surrounded by Koons Ford, Oakwood Cemetery and residential development a block north of E. Broad Street, the small park on N. Roosevelt Street can be hard to find and is often overlooked.
In 1856, William Taylor purchased a 56-acre tract adjacent to the Alexandria-Leesburg Turnpike (today’s Leesburg Pike) not far from its junction with Georgetown Road (today’s Wilson Blvd). His tavern served travelers and locals alike.
The site’s high ground made it a prime military objective for both Union and Confederate troops. And for two days in June 1861, it was used for the first ascent of a tethered balloon for reconnaissance in a military conflict.
In 1995, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 50-cent aerogramme to honor the initiative and Professor Thaddeus Lowe, who led it.
Confederate troops under the command of J.E.B. Stuart took the site that August and held it until it was regained by the Union Army in October 1861.
To protect the high ground, federal soldiers built Forts Taylor, Buffalo and Ramsey in the vicinity, to protect the area both from Confederate counterattacks and the hit-and-run tactics of Mosby’s Rangers.
At the time of the war, Falls Church was an unincorporated area of Fairfax County. It became a semi-independent town in 1875 and a fully independent city in 1948.
Fort Taylor Park is open from dawn to dusk daily. There is a footpath through the trees as well as several benches. A historical marker describes the site, while another marker located nearby on Roosevelt Street details the history of the tavern.
Plans to support the park include Scout-led cleanup activities and a community event. Timing remains undetermined.
Coyle said he would like to see new signage directing people to the park. Currently, the only signage is right in front of the steps leading up to the property.
The meeting provided an update on events planned for the nation’s birthday.
“There are a lot of things happening,” said Holly Irwin, the city staff’s liaison to the committee.
Major plans call for events at the city’s Memorial Day celebration, as well as a July 3 “Civic Jam” festival. City leaders also plan to hold a “Demystify Democracy” event sometime in September at the Mary Riley Styles Library, focusing on helping residents get more involved in community life.
“It’s all about making participation in your local government and local community more palatable,” Irwin said.
“We want it to be a ‘how-to-get-involved’ [tutorial]. Wherever you are on your civic journey, there is always something to learn,” she said.
Holding it at the library is expected to make people more comfortable than a program at City Hall. A firm date will be set sometime over the summer.
“There’s a lot of moving parts and we haven’t finalized all of it,” Irwin said.
Callie Hawkins, an at-large member of the committee, said the program would be a way to “encourage people to use their civic imagination.”
The meeting also explored possibilities for a close-out event later in the year and provided an update on the ongoing “soapbox conversations” taking place during the year.
The next one of those is planned for Thursday, April 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ireland’s Four Provinces, and will focus on the experience of Irish immigrants and their contributions to the local area and nation.
“That could be a really nice event, to get all the Irish folks who want to speak,” Coyle said.
