A small spring beside a gum tree. That’s where Arcola began. This unassuming spot near the South Fork of Broad Run became the heart of a village. It was known then as Gum Spring.
Arcola’s story is one of shifts and changes. Imagine colonial times. A distillery a kiln and a small church thrived here. The land provided life and livelihood. The area’s importance grew further when a post office opened in 1801. It was called Springfield then. But this didn’t last.
The post office closed. Years later it reopened. This time it was strategically placed along the successful Little River Turnpike. It was renamed Arcola in 1834. This was in honor of the nearby Arcola Farm. This post office continued to serve the community until 1868. The village’s name however remained Gum Spring on most maps.
Arcola almost experienced a significant boom in the 1850s. The Loudoun Branch of the Manassas Gap Railroad neared completion. However events intervened. The Panic of 1857 and the Civil War stopped the railroad’s use. Union troops did pass through though during the Gettysburg Campaign of 1863. They camped near Gum Spring. Their presence changed the landscape.
Arcola’s growth continued. It slowly grew from a small village into a thriving community. In 1876 Arcola’s population stood at 30. By 1911 it had risen to 90. In 1976 it reached 135. Unlike many Loudoun County villages Arcola continued to flourish.
The Arcola Slave Quarters stand as a poignant reminder of the past. Built around 1800 these quarters serve as a testament to a bygone era. The stone structure is an example of slave housing built into an embankment. This simple structure embodies the complexities of Arcola’s history. Today a modern development stands nearby.
The Arcola Farm the original post office and the surviving slave quarters all weave together this village’s rich story. They highlight the evolution of Arcola. Each element reveals the changing life and challenges. Arcola stands as a living museum. It has a story to tell.