Freedom Hill – the Civil War in our backyard

This image was taken by Are Andresen for the Tysonsliving.com and soldsense.com websites. It is copyright (c) Are Andresen. All rights are reserved and unauthorized use prohibited.

Northern Virginia and Fairfax County is an area with a rich and interesting history. Our area was home to several Civil War sites like Captain John Quincy Marr Monument(Fairfax City – opening conflict of the war with first soldier killed), Fort Marcy (McLean – fort built to protect the Chain Bridge), Mount Gilead House (Centreville – headquarters for some 40,000 confederate troops) and Freedom Hill.

Freedom Hill is located in Tysons Corner off Old Courthouse Road in the Freedom Hill Park. It was a fortified gunpit made of earth and wood and part of the original Defenses of Washington. It was a standard army design with a gun platform and surrounding earth walls lined with timber. It was built early in 1865 in response to Confederate activity in the area and to protect a signal tower at nearby Peach Grove Stockade. Per historic records it saw no significant activity during the Civil War.

Typical Redoubt – Source: Library of Congress

This image was taken by Are Andresen for the Tysonsliving.com and soldsense.com websites. It is copyright (c) Are Andresen. All rights are reserved and unauthorized use prohibited.

Redoubt in Freedom Hill today – just a few feet from traffic and cars on Old Courthouse Road.

 

This image was taken by Are Andresen for the Tysonsliving.com and soldsense.com websites. It is copyright (c) Are Andresen. All rights are reserved and unauthorized use prohibited.

Plaque at current site.

A few years ago I actually sold a property in the Fredericksburg area that contained an earthen gunpit on the property. The revolutionary war gunpit was protected and the new owners were very excited about becoming the current stewards of a piece of history!

We know the Tysons Corner area. If you are looking for a home with something special let us know and we can help!

Freedom Hill is near the communities of Amberwood, Battery Park, Brentwood Court and Tysons Green.

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About The Author
Are Andresen

Are Andresen is the principal broker owner of Soldsense Realty LLC. He is also an experienced property investor and help clients find and manage properties in Northern Virginia.