The following is a timeline of the history of the census-designated place (CDP) of Great Falls, Virginia, USA.
Prior to 20th century
- Land inhabited by indigenous peoples, likely the Doeg people.Ferguson, p. 11, refers to Robert L. Stephenson, The Prehistoric People of Accokeek Creek 1608 - Expedition of region by Captain John Smith. - Colonial farm settlements begin to form in the Great Falls area. - Area surveyed by George Washington 1785 - The Patowmack Canal, which George Washington partially funded, began operating to give small barges the opportunity to skirt around the falls and to distribute manufactured goods and raw materials. - Area was unofficially referred to as the village of Forestville, with two churches, a grist mill and sawmill, a general store, and a two-room schoolhouse. 1861 - Battle of Dranesville Civil War skirmish occurred on December 20, 1861. 1878 - Great Falls Post Office opens.
20th century
1902 - John Roll McLean, Stephen Benton Elkins and Jean-Pierre Guenard purchase a charter for the Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad. 1906 - Railroad completed, connecting the Great Falls area with Washington, D.C. 1909 - Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad extends to Great Falls Park. 1920 - Great Falls Grange established. 1942 - Community fire department is formed. 1945 - Community members begin referring to the Forestville area as "Great Falls" and encourage the name change. 1955 - Area formally renamed Great Falls in local organizations and offices, including the Fire Department. 1959 - On November 15, 1959, the second Great Falls Post Office opens in theold Forestville School House, which is preserved on the Grange grounds. 1966 - Great Falls Park is established by the National Park Service. 1990 - Population: 6,945
21st century
2000 - Population: 8,549 2010 - Population: 15,427 2020 - Population: 14,872 2022 - Great Falls included in Veranda magazine's list of wealthiest cities in the United States.
See also Great Falls, Virginia Timelines of other places in Virginia: Alexandria, Hampton, Lynchburg, McLean, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Roanoke, Virginia Beach, Virginia
References