Just seven miles north of Leesburg, Virginia, and only a short drive from the Maryland and West Virginia borders, you will find the small, historic village of Waterford, filled with 18th and 19th-century homes, row houses, storefronts, barns, schools, and churches that are not only intact but fully restored, continuously used and lived in.
Established in 1733 by Pennsylvanian Quaker Amos Janney, the small settlement soon became a thriving town, known for its mills along the banks of Catoctin Creek and a major trade route leading to the western frontier. Waterford was the second largest town in Loudoun County, next to Leesburg, the county seat.
Waterford’s growth and progress came to a grinding halt, however, with the outbreak of the American Civil War. Due to the town’s Quaker heritage, most residents were pacifists and anti-slavery, openly accepting a large African American population of freed slaves living among them as neighbors, and so it was no surprise that Waterford’s majority voted against secession and remained pro-Union. This was not without a high price, however. Waterford suffered numerous back-and-forth military occupations of both Union troops and Confederate troops during the war, and even a small skirmish at the Waterford Baptist Church in 1862.
After the war, in an attempt to punish the town for siding with the North, Waterford was given a “cold shoulder” from its surrounding pro-Southern neighbors. The new railroad routes intentionally bypassed Waterford and businesses were quietly encouraged to move elsewhere. It was a silent boycott. Soon, Waterford became a ghost town.
Ironically, it is the commercial stagnation of Waterford that ultimately saved it. The village sat undisturbed – untouched by the hands of time – well into the 20th Century.
Finally, in 1943, people started to take notice of what a precious historical gem the village had become before it was too late, and the Waterford Foundation was formed to “revive and stimulate a community interest in re-creating the town of Waterford as it existed in previous times with its varying crafts and activities.” The Foundation quickly began buying and restoring buildings, as well as the pastures and farmland surrounding the village to ensure preservation. In 1970, the entire village and 1,420 surrounding acres were designated a National Historic Landmark.
Today, the Waterford Foundation continues to promote the preservation of the village through events, concerts, and fundraisers, fostering a real sense of community among the residents: Everybody knows their neighbor!
Living in Waterford is a dream come true for those who appreciate taking a step back in time to own an historic, centuries-old property, or for those who simply wish to enjoy the authentic, quiet, and slower-paced village lifestyle, all while being only an hour away from DC, close to major roads, Dulles Airport, and every major convenience of the modern world, too.
For more information on Waterford, visit: http://www.waterfordvillage.org
