Welcome To Manassas

• Home
• Interactive Map
• Teacher Resources
• Tour Info
• Store
• Contact

One mile west was the junction of the Orange & Alexandria and Manassas Gap railroad lines. The point became known as Manassas Junction. For many years this depot was an important passenger and freight stop in commerce between markets of the north, south, and Shenandoah Valley.

During the Civil War, both sides used the area as a supply base. The site of the first depot was probably about one half mile to the east. The present structure was erected by the Southern Railroad in 1914, and is the third building on this site. The present depot partially incorporates the walls of the 1912 depot which was burned in a fire. It is a one story building which has a slate tile roof.

In 1851 the Orange & Alexandria railroad completed a line which intersected with the Manassas Gap Railroad. This critical junction became the town of Manassas and served to supply reinforcements for the Confederate army during the First Battle of Manassas.

 

 

3. Hopkins Candy Factory :

9419 Battle Street

The Hopkins candy Factory was designed by Albert Speiden and built in 1908 for the production of chocolate and soft candies. This building later was acquired by the Manassas Feed and Milling Company, and was the home of White Rose Flour. Now the factory is being used by the City of Manassas as home of the Center for the Arts. It was once considered a very modern southern building.

 

 

4. Nicol Building / Old Post Office:

9115 Center Street

The first structure built on this site, the Nicol Building, was destroyed in the great Manassas fire of 1905. After being rebuilt, Judge Nicol had a stone inserted above the corner entrance bearing the name “Post Office”. Judge Nicol had hopes that the post office would make this building its permanent location. The Old Post Office is currently home of Antiques & Collectables.

 

 

5. Hibbs and Gidding's Department Store:

9129 Center Street

The Hibbs & Giddings Department Store was designed by Albert Speiden. Hibbs & Gidding’s is now home to Prospero’s Books.

 

 

6. Trinity Episcopal Church:

9325 West Street

Founded by the Reverend John McGill, the original church was built in 1872. The church was designed by Albert Speiden and his brother William. The original church was later used as a parish hall when the current church was built in 1922.

 

 

7. Speiden-Carper House:

9320 Battle Street

The Speiden-Carper House was designed and built by Albert Speiden in 1905. Albert Speiden and his brother William established an architecture firm in Washington DC in 1896. Speiden designed five other homes in Manassas; all have been demolished except this house. In the early 1990’s his daughter bequeathed her home as a gift to Manassas. The house is not yet open to the public.

 

 

8. Old Presbyterian Church :

9329 Main Street

The church was founded in 1857. The building was constructed in 1874.

 

 

9. First National Bank:

9366 Main Street

Several small earthen forts stood here during the Civil War. In 1895 John Cannon built the present structure as the community’s first bank. The bank operated here from 1896 to 1912. From 1912 – 1949, it was a law office, and in later years an art gallery. Currently, the bank is home of Keller-Williams Realty.

 

 

10. Connor Opera House

9082 Center Street

Built circa 1907, the Opera House served as the main community center for Manassas until the mid 1930s. In 1910, ER Conner installed a private generating plant. This made the Opera House, the first building in Manassas with electrical lights. The building was later used by the Manassas Journal paper.

The Opera House is a two-story building in the middle of Old Towne Manassas. The Opera House served as a local theater. Shows and plays were seen here during the teens and twenties. The last reunions of Confederate John S. Mosby’s Rangers were held in the Opera House.

 

 

11. Hynson's Department Store:

9071 Center Street

The Fauquier National Bank is located in this building.

 

 

12. Old Town Hall:

9027 Center Street

This two story brick building was built in 1914 from the plans of a local architect, Albert Speiden. It served as both Town Hall and the city firehouse. The Manassas Volunteer Fire Co. was housed on the ground floor until 1956.

One of the challenges for volunteer fire departments is how to alert their members to a fire. In July 1909, the Town of Manassas authorized Mr. J. I. Randall, the first town fire chief, to purchase three locomotive tires to be suspended in frames in different parts of town to be used as fire alarms. Each alarm was to be furnished with a hammer or other device to strike the tire. One alarm was located on Center Street by the Town hall, another was placed on Grant Avenue.

 

 

13. Burning of Manassas-Schools & Museum:

Corner of Prince William and Main Streets

In March 1862, the Confederates evacuated Manassas to meet a threat at Richmond. Their supply base here was set afire to prevent its falling to the federals. All useful buildings, sheds, railroad repair shops, and supplies were destroyed along with many railway cars and an engine. The Federals set up a base here that was raided and burned by Stonewall Jackson five months later on August 27, 1862. Subsequently, Manassas suffered an additional fire in 1905 that greatly damaged the downtown area.