Chain Bridge Road and Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, Virginia

The intersection of Hunter Mill Road and Chain Bridge Road marks the center of historic Oakton, a community named for the massive oak tree that stood at this corner until Hurricane Isabel in 2005. Three buildings once stood on this site. The oldest, the Oakton Schoolhouse, was built in 1897, enlarged by a large wing in 1904, then after 1914 was replaced for classes by a new school building and converted first into apartments and later, from the 1930s to the early 21st century, into retail businesses. West of the school, the Oakton Store was constructed in 1933 with a general store on the ground floor and an apartment on the second floor. East of the school, a small residence built during the 1930s was also converted to commercial use. All three buildings were used by Appalachian Outfitters during the 30 years that the wilderness camping store occupied this corner. A fourth historic Oakton building survives to the west on the south side of Chain Bridge Road: the Methodist Episcopal Church, constructed in 1897 and still serving its congregation. The original 1897 portion of the Oakton School now stands at the Oakton community park just north of Chain Bridge Road on Hunter Mill Road after its relocation and rehabilitation through the collaborative efforts of Friends of Oakton Schoolhouse, Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Chevy Chase Bank.

Oakton, Virginia · United States