Bealeton, Virginia

Bealeton is a small unincorporated community in Fauquier County, Virginia, at the intersection of State Route 28 and U.S. Route 17. Public schools in Bealeton include Grace Miller Elementary, Cedar Lee Middle, and Liberty High School. Bealeton is home to its own Post Office with ZIP Code, 22712, and has a population of 6,884 (US Census Report, 2000) [ [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=86000US22712&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_DP1&-ds_name=D&-_lang=en 22712 5-Digit Profile of General Demographic Characteristics] ] . On May 15, 2006, ground was broken on a 5,960 square foot, $2.3 million dollar post office to replace the old one [ [http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab2.cfm?newsid=16648510 New Post Office Breaks Ground] ] . It was completed in 2007.

History

Bealeton grew up as a Depot of the former Orange & Alexandria Rail Road (since renamed Southern Rail Road), and the old railroad station can be seen in the Bealeton Station development in front of the new Bealeton Library building. [ [http://www.co.fauquier.va.us/documents/departments/commdev/pdf/bor/bealeton.PDF Bealeton Service District Plan (Background)] ] The area was a major traveling point during the Civil War and saw many skirmishes related to nearby engagements.

Despite the presence of southern troops during the early years of the war the northern troops succeeded in pushing the Confederate line south of the Rappahannock river and eventually into Fredericksburg. This move led to the control of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, thus allowing the Union army to transport supplies deep into southern Virginia.

Bealeton lost importance with the decline of rail road travel and became a bedroom community of Manassas, Virginia & Northern Virginia primarily. This was aided by the comprehensive plan that made authorized water and sewer availability in 1967. Bealeton retains many large farms and provides a unique blend of agriculture, commercial, and residential development.

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