Relief washes over you as you arrive at Gilberts Corner. It is a place where Northern Virginia’s suburban sprawl recedes. The rural Piedmont’s beauty emerges.
Gilberts Corner is an unincorporated area. It sits at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 and U.S. Route 15 in Loudoun County, Virginia. The area lies just east of Aldie’s historic village.
The name Gilberts Corner comes from the William Gilbert family. They once operated a gas station and restaurant at the northeast corner. Gilberts Corner gained importance in the 1920s. The Carolina Road, now Watson Road, was a toll road. U.S. Route 15 was extended south from Leesburg to U.S. Route 50.
Increased traffic from toll evaders led to further extension of U.S. Route 15 south. The gas station and restaurant closed in the 1980s. It is being renovated now. Heavy traffic caused many commuters to avoid the intersection. They went through Lenah and took U.S. Route 15 south.
In 2008, improvements began at the intersection to calm traffic. The plan replaced the signalized intersection with roundabouts. A connector road was built east of Gilberts Corner on Route 50. It intersects Route 15 south of the existing intersection. The main intersection became a roundabout in fall 2008. Traffic lights were removed. Traffic calming occurred in Aldie with road narrowing.
The Piedmont Environmental Council played a key role. It took ownership of a 141-acre farm property. The council sold a 68-acre property to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. On weekends, Gilberts Corner hosts an outdoor marketplace. This includes a farmer’s market and food vendors. These are popular with locals and tourists.
In 2013, the Virginia Department of Transportation made changes to the roundabout. These changes addressed a high number of crashes caused by speeding. Curb lines, markings, and signs were adjusted. A single lane was created on all approaches from Route 15 and Route 50.
Gilberts Corner has long been recognized as a special place. It contains portions of the June 1863 Battle of Aldie. It sits close to historic sites like Oak Hill and the Mount Zion Old School Baptist Church.
The landscape around Gilberts Corner means more to many people. It is a symbolic entry point to the countryside.
PEC and its partners have worked for 15 years to protect the area. Successes include the traffic calming roundabouts. They also protected over 150 acres on the north side of Route 50.
In 2013, PEC acquired the 141-acre Roundabout Meadows property. The Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows engages volunteers. They grow fruits and vegetables for donation. These go to food-insecure residents of Loudoun.
Driving by Gilberts Corner today, you see the results of years of conservation efforts. It stands as a gateway to Virginia’s rural Piedmont. This beautiful landscape will be preserved for generations.