Clifton, Va. – Beyond winding roads, estates with white picket fences and horses, lays the Historic Town of Clifton in Fairfax County, Virginia, established in 1868.
People drive their cars over the rusty railroad tracks to enter the town. The pace immediately slows down.
American flags can be seen everywhere. Raindrops roll off. Yellow and pink flowers pop out of flowerpots on porches. The culture and architecture derived from the resident’s diverse backgrounds has created this hidden gem in Virginia.
The lime green and maroon Italian restaurant and historic Victorian homes stand out against the gray sky this Saturday evening.
Signs with the red train read, “Welcome to Historic Clifton, Virginia.”
“I want to go up there,” says Ethan Kim, 2, the grandson of Frank and Jenny Yao pointing at the red train, a landmark of the town.
Peterson’s Ice Cream Depot, famous for their homemade ice cream, brings them here. The scattered and light drizzle doesn’t deter families to come out for ice cream.
“It is like a small town, everyone knows everyone here,” says Marcy Jumper, an employee at Peterson’s Ice Cream Depot. Visitors stand in line for about an half an hour on summer days for the natural ingredients.
Each landmark is accompanied with a sign displaying historical information.
In 1863, during the Civil War, Devereux Station was constructed on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad to supply the Union army with timber.
The station prompted the development of Clifton as a commercial community.
Now people flock to the stationed train to take photos at the steering wheel.
Here, Clifton Old School Primitive Baptist Church, the oldest African-American church in Fairfax County, was built in 1871. Emancipated slaves frequented the small church.
“When you come here, you learn a little bit more about history,” says Todd Tavolazzi, 45, who is visiting with his family and other Navy families.
Each home has a story. Oscar Woody, owner of a home in 1910 and member of the railroad and sea postal services, died on his 41st birthday working on the Titanic.
Paul Christensen, 62, a tall man, with thin lips, and white sideburns, resembling George Washington, takes a stroll after driving a group here for a wedding reception. His ancestors came to Virginia in 1608 and were among the original settlers.
It seems Christensen, a charter bus driver and historical reenactor, traveled from the past.
The aroma of pizza dough and marinara sauce cooking in a brick oven at Little Villagio and hibiscus flowers fill the air.
American and Italian flags mark Little Villagio, the gourmet Italian restaurant. A family eats their pizza on a bench.
Couples enjoy the outside seating, dining on the long porch covered with small circular tables and wine glasses. Flames dance above them in large glass and silver lanterns.
Tat. Tat. Tat. Raindrops make a rhythmic sound, bouncing off the gutter.
A loud screeching noise accompanies the Amtrak, quickly overtaken by chatter, laughter, and Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” song “and it’s our God-forsaken right to be loved, loved…”
“Thanks son,” says a customer to Octavious Guice, 20, an employee at Little Villagio for over 4 years. “I love this town. I just moved to this town and I never want to leave.”