Wondering where Garrisonville got its interesting name? Let’s uncover the story behind this Virginia community. Garrisonville, Virginia is an unincorporated community in Stafford County. It sits south of Marine Corps Base Quantico.
While the name Garrisonville might suggest a military past there was never a garrison here. Despite what that sign on Route 610 might tell you. The name Garrisonville actually comes from the Garrison family. They settled here long before Aaron Garrison was born in 1715.
Aaron Garrison was likely a farmer. He raised a large family in Stafford. His name appears in old court records. His descendants still live in the region.
By the early 20th century Garrisonville was a small village. It occupied a triangle of land. This area was between Onville Road Barrett Heights Road and Garrisonville Road. Garrisonville included a post office several stores and a blacksmith’s shop. The village also had a Garrisonville Hall.
The Junior Order of United American Mechanics met at Garrisonville Hall. The hall stood on the corner of Garrisonville and Onville roads. This was near the site of the present CVS Pharmacy. It was a simple two-story building. The building had an A-roof. The hall rested upon a few large rocks. In addition to community events at least one church met there.
In 1911 a moving picture show came to Garrisonville. The hall became a theater for the event. Around 250 people attended each night. The show soon moved to Stafford Store.
For many years Ebenezer Methodist Church was central to the Garrisonville community. Later Bethany Methodist Church was built. It was near the intersection of Shelton Shop and Garrisonville roads. The church was in use in 1908. It is not known when it disappeared.
Garrisonville was also home to several small stores. The locations and owners are mostly unknown. From about 1906 to 1918 the Austin Run Pyrite Mine operated nearby. It provided jobs for many local men.
In 1965 John W. McWhirt started a bullfrog farm. His property was four miles west of U. S. Route 1. He stocked his pond with baby jumbos. He even had a breeding pair shipped from Texas. The frogs multiplied quickly. McWhirt considered building more ponds. He remembered catching many bullfrogs on Aquia Creek.
The expansion of the Marine Corps base in 1942 boosted business activity in Garrisonville. The construction of Interstate 95 in the 1960s helped too. Workers from Washington and Northern Virginia could easily commute to Stafford.
Today Garrisonville is a growing community. It is shaped by its past and embracing the future. As you pass through Garrisonville remember the Garrison family. Think about the small village that once thrived here. Consider the bullfrog farmer with a unique dream. This is a place with a story to tell.