Considering a visit to Dunn Loring? This place has a past. Dunn Loring, Virginia is more than just a suburb. It’s a place with roots stretching back to the late 19th century.
Dunn Loring’s story began in 1886. General William McKee Dunn and his wife Elizabeth Lanier Dunn purchased 600 acres here. They were located on the Washington, Ohio and Western Railroad. This is now the Washington and Old Dominion Regional Trail.
The Dunns transferred the land to the Loring Land and Improvement Company. This company included General Dunn, George B. Loring, and George H. LeFetra. Loring was a former congressman and Commissioner of Agriculture. LeFetra was a Washington temperance hotelier.
The Town of Dunn Loring was advertised for residential sales in 1887. The company even built a railroad station and a post office. Sadly, General Dunn passed away soon after. Development slowed.
However, the Spanish-American War brought new life to Dunn Loring. Camp Russell A. Alger was founded here. The camp brought growth and prosperity. Carl Sandburg, the celebrated author-poet, trained at Camp Alger. Sandburg Street is named in his honor.
In 1912, Fairfax Shield McCandlish bought the developers’ interests. He consolidated parcels and subdivided the land. After World War II, Dunn Loring grew as part of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
Up until the mid-1990s, much of the land was horse farms and plantations. These were mainly between Lee Highway and Gallows Road. Later, the area became gentrified.
Dunn Loring is located in northeastern Fairfax County. It is bordered by Vienna, Tysons Corner, the Capital Beltway, and Interstate 66. The town is 14 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C.
Dunn Loring offers a mix of suburban quiet and convenient access to the city. The population was 9,464 as of the 2020 census.
Dunn Loring station provides access to the Washington Metro’s Orange Line. The station has gone through some changes. It opened in 1986. It was known as Dunn Loring-Merrifield from 1998 to 2011. It then reverted to Dunn Loring.
A mixed-use development project near the station started in 2011. This project improved parking and added new facilities.
Today, Dunn Loring is an affluent neighborhood. It offers a high quality of life. The community retains a connection to its rich history.
So, as you explore Dunn Loring, remember its past. Think of General Dunn, Carl Sandburg, and the area’s transformation. It’s a story of vision, resilience, and growth. Dunn Loring continues to evolve while honoring its unique heritage.