“Ash burn”, Ashburn or Farmwell?

One of the nicest areas of northern Virginia is Ashburn. Located about 15 minutes southeast of Leesburg and an hour northwest of DC, Ashburn is the nicest community in Loudon County. But at one point, it did have an identity crisis.

Ashburn, ash burn, or Farmwell?

As the story goes, around 1802, a guy named George Lee III, think Leesburg Lees’, mentioned “Farmwell” in his will, which was the name of the mansion he owned ion his estate. For a time, the Ashburn area was known as Farmwell. The property was a plantation at the time.

In 1841, a 580-acre parcel of the original plantation became the summer home for John Janney, an attorney who became Vice President of the United States. Here’s where it gets interesting.

One story has it that the name “Ashburn” came from a family that John Janney liked named Ashburn, so he called it “Ashburn Farm” in their honor. Yet another story has it that lightning struck an ash tree on the property. The tree caught fire and smoldered for days. It became a bit of a spectacle among local residents, and as a result, the area became known as “Ashburn.”

The name change was due to the town post office being concerned that Farmwell would be confused with Farmville, a town in Prince Edward County, so in 1896 the name “Ashburn” was suggested, and it stuck. 

What’s in a Name?

No matter how Ashburn got its name, today it’s known as the “Data Center Capital of the World,”  being close to DC, affordable electricity, and the area being essentially rural back in the mid to late 1990s, very reasonable land costs. While the land costs have changed, Ashburn is still a technology hub in Northern Virginia.

No Lack of Things to Do and See

Ashburn offers beautiful parks, outstanding restaurants, top-notch schools, and shopping. The entire region is rich in US history, and it’s on display everywhere you look. 

The Potomac Heritage Trail, for instance, will have you walking in the footsteps of our first President, George Washington. Designed in 1983, the Potomac Heritage Trail has over 700 miles of hikes across four states. Hiking, biking, and kayaking are all available in the area.

Ashburn, Virginia, is a beautiful place to live and close to so much. You’ll never be out of things to do all year long.

If you’re looking for a great place to live in Northern Virginia, no matter the name of the town or city, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ve worked in the area for years and can help you find the perfect home for you. Please click here for our contact page.

Thanks for visiting!