Downtown – Occoquan, Virginia
This cast concrete block building on the edge of town makes use of this distinctive building material.
Upon entering town this skinny vernacular cottage caught our attention for the detailed spindle work.
The town of Occoquan originated in 1758 when John Ballentine built his home Rockledge. Grist mills, a foundry, and tobacco warehouses predominates. During the Civil War, Gen Wade Hampton headquartered here in the Hamill Hotel at the corner of Union and Commerce Streets.
Mill St Draft Garden makes surprisingly good use of a large vacant lot.
New development along the water makes an effort to blend in with the historic setting.
This marker is a reminder of wharves that once played a crucial role with shipping along the river and boat building. The gazebo is a nice gesture though disconnected from the important heritage of the site.
More multifamily new development designed to blend in with the old.
A kiosk with map helps to orient people to the town.
Another handsome vernacular building with entrance that has likely been reworked from the original.
This commercial street has blade signs that draw the eye down the block.
The Preservation Station has a bit of something for everyone. Upcycling workshops and restoration clinics stand out as activities that support successful preservation – a necessity in any historic town.
This shaded outdoor area creates a welcoming space for outdoor dining and gathering, enclosed by buildings on two sides.
The old Hamill Hotel built in 1804 is a three story brick building anchors this corner. Speaks to the aspirations for a small town. Though there are relatively few others with the same materials and scale.
Another small vernacular house with simple form reinforces the practical and functional nature of the town.
The scrollwork with stylized hearts, tear drops, and diamonds creates visual interest at street level.
Built as a Methodist Church in 1925 with lancet windows, today this is the town hall.
Commercial building on the ground floor with residences overhead. This keeps the street active while allowing for more housing.
This site targeted for redevelopment is the last connection with a working waterfront with manufacturing and warehouses.
This handsome Foursquare house in the center of town has a commanding view thanks to it’s expensive porch.
While underutilized and possibly vacant this building appears to once have served a commercial function. The relatively limited number of windows on the second floor is interesting.
Yet another handsome vernacular building with modillioned cornice and returns.
Another handsome vernacular building with asymmetrical window alignment. The porch is substantially intact.
This new multistory brick development on a stone base is meant to blend in with the old.
While Ellicott’s Mill this one story office building remains.
This graphic from an interpretive panel shows how the mill dominated the site.
In 1758 John Ballentine built his home Rockledge. It’s undergone a number of uses though today is in need of maintenance.
This historic carbide bunker played an important role in providing street lighting at one time.
One of our last spots to visit was the Secret Garden restaurant for brunch with family. It didn’t disappoint.
As we drove out of Occoquan one last detail caught my eye. It was a storefront with a fisheye window. This created visual interest from the street though I imagine it was hard to build and to maintain.
