FAUQUIER COUNTY

County Offices
40 Culpeper Street
Warrenton, VA 540-347-8680
https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
183A Keith Street
Warrenton, VA 540-347-4414
https://www.fauquierchamber.org/

Carved out of Prince William County in 1759, the area known as Fauquier County was first settled by farmers who raised cattle and horses. Agriculture has been the mainstay of this area for more than 200 years. While it remains relatively rural, the county has undergone considerable residential and commercial growth in recent decades. Most parts of the county are experiencing a building boom brought about by the influx of new residents, the majority being commuters to employment centers outside of the county. Many newcomers employed in the metropolitan Washington area are attracted to Fauquier County’s open spaces and country living.

Although the natural beauty of the area has made it a “bedroom community” of subdivisions and unincorporated towns, the county retains its pastoral ambiance. Farms for horse breeding and cattle raising are still very much evident throughout the countryside. The wine industry has become an increasingly important element in the county’s agricultural economy, combining vineyards and wineries that produce excellent red, white and blush varieties. The idyllic setting of Fauquier is harmonizing well with quality growth and development. The result is a truly delightful blend of all the amenities and facilities of modern living with a reverence for history and tradition.

Services
Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton anchors the healthcare services for county residents. This 86-bed acute-care facility provides a full array of state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment capabilities to the people of Fauquier County, as well as the surrounding counties of Culpeper, Prince William and Rappahannock. Modern patient care areas include two medical-surgical nursing wings, an intensive care unit, family birthing center, emergency service, outpatient care, physical medicine, and radiology. As the only hospital in the county, Fauquier Hospital is the central hub of medical care in the area.

Students receive a quality education in the public school system, where approximately 84% of high school graduates to on to pursue a higher education. Public school educational programs include gifted and talented and special education classes in every school as well as music and art programs. The school system also operates a pre-school handicapped program. Germanna Community College and Lord Fairfax Community College jointly administer the Community College Center located in Warrenton. The center offers one and two-year programs in a variety of occupational fields, as well as personal enrichment courses.

Transportation services include efficient access to a modern highway system via Interstate 66, which has made commuting to the District of Columbia a viable option. Rappahannock-Rapidan Commuter Service supplies carpool and vanpool information, and a large commuter parking lot is available at Routes 29 and 605. The closest passenger railroad stations are located at Manassas and Culpeper, and Dulles International Airport is approximately 40 minutes away.

Quality Of Life
Fauquier County is rich in pine forests, the former hunting grounds of the Piscataway Native American tribe. Adding to this natural beauty are the large areas of open space that remain to encourage a variety of sports activity and outdoor adventures. America’s last barnstorming show, the Flying Circus, is based in Fauquier County near Bealeton. All forms of aviation and air sports from hang gliding to hot-air ballooning remain popular. For more conventional flying, several small airports provide runways and facilities for private pilots. Fishing, rafting and canoeing down the Rappahannock River are other popular ways to spend leisure time.

In addition to the rich natural resources, the county recreation department offers a wide range of classes for all ages. Residents can take courses in such diverse subjects as ballet, calligraphy, clowning, aerobics, photography and yoga. Most of these classes are conveniently held at local public schools. Youth sports are sponsored by both the county and private organizations. A special Senior’s Center provides educational and recreational activities as well as hot meals for older residents. Five county parks contain a number of ballfields and tennis courts. C.M. Crockett Park includes an amphitheater and a man-made lake, inviting activities like boating, fishing, and hiking. County residents also have the use of swimming pools at the two military installations in the area. Many of those who are employed in the bustling District of Columbia welcome the opportunity to escape to the quiet havens that the farms, woodlands, rivers and small towns of Fauquier County offer.

The rich and colorful history of the county where Chief Justice John Marshall grew up and Colonel John Singleton Mosby rode to fame is preserved in markers and monuments and in 12 stops on the Virginia Civil War Trails. Old Town Warrenton serves as the county seat, representing an architectural and historic treasure. The majestic columns and graceful spire of the vintage county court house harmonize with well-preserved homes and appealing shops and restaurants. Four large shopping areas are located in Warrenton, and a variety of restaurants border the tree-lined “old bypass” west of Old Town. Throughout the county, picturesque villages and small towns are home to delightful shops and services that meet everyday needs.

Newcomers to Fauquier County will discover a 12-month calendar of events and outdoor adventures. The Virginia Gold Cup, spring and fall steeplechase races, the oldest horse shows in America, farm and stable tours, statewide wine festivals, winery tours and tastings, Civil War reenactments at Sky Meadows State Park, Flying Circus Airshows, antique shows, craft festivals, holiday parades and celebrations, trail rides and pick-your-own orchards are among the many treasures. From its attractive selection of housing and friendly neighborhoods to its rural charm, Fauquier County excels in quality of life.

The Plains
As one of the few unincorporated communities in the county, The Plains is characterized as a small residential town north of Warrenton along Route 626. Rich in history, the town served as a major military thoroughfare during the Civil War and a stop along a passenger train route until the late 1930s. In recent decades, The Plains has experienced considerable residential expansion. In response to this new growth, civic planners have revitalized the downtown district to offer remodeled shops and attractive new storefronts. New residents to the metropolitan area who appreciate the tranquility of the pristine Virginian countryside are quick to recognize the value of The Plains more affordable housing and natural charm. The expanded amenities of Warrenton are close by, adding to the convenience of life in The Plains.

Warrenton
Set on a hilltop east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Warrenton was once a sleepy, charming village that has changed dramatically since World War II. Now a bustling, mid-size town, Warrenton has developed quality retail centers and housing developments that have sprung up to harmonize with the area’s historic commercial and residential buildings. Serving as the hub of Fauquier County, Warrenton is conveniently situated at the convergence of Routes 15, 17, 29 and 211 This centralized, strategic location makes Warrenton accessible from all sections of the county, a fact that has encouraged the development of services and amenities usually associated with larger cities including a state-of-the-art hospital. Two major shopping areas are available, although residents and visitors alike enjoy strolling through the revitalized downtown area with its boutiques and interesting specialty shops. Housing in Warrenton consists primarily of single-family homes shaded by beautiful mature greenery. Those who prefer a maintenance-free lifestyle will find a limited number of townhomes, condominiums and apartment rentals in the area.