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Fairfax, Virginia ( FAIR-faks), formally the City of Fairfax, is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,146. It is the county seat of Fairfax County, Virginia. The city, which is part of both the Washington metropolitan area and Northern Virginia, is located 14 miles (23 km) west of Washington, D.C. The Washington Metro's Orange Line serves Fairfax through its Vienna station, which is a mile northeast of Fairfax. CUE Bus and Metrobus operate in Fairfax. Virginia Railway Express's Burke Centre station is located three miles southeast of Fairfax. George Mason University, located in unincorporated Fairfax County along Fairfax's southern border, is the largest public university in Virginia with 39,032 students as of 2020.

The Battle of Fairfax Court House was fought during the Gettysburg Campaign of the American Civil War between two cavalry detachments from the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by General Joseph Hooker, and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Lee. The Confederate cavalry leader General J.E.B. Stuart was keen to restore his prestige after two humiliating encounters with Union cavalry, and as the main body crossed the Potomac into Maryland, he received permission to detach three brigades and ride around the entire Union army to gather supplies and intelligence, and damage lines of communication. At Fairfax Court House, Virginia, on June 27, one of Stuart’s brigades, led by Brigadier General Wade Hampton, was surprised by a small detachment of the 11th New York Cavalry under Major Remington, which initially drove them into the woods, but were so heavily outnumbered that they had to retreat. Although technically a Confederate win, this small engagement had a major impact on the outcome of Gettysburg, since it delayed Stuart’s arrival, depriving Lee of essential knowledge of the enemy’s whereabouts.

Built in 1835, the William Gunnell House is a contributing property of the City of Fairfax Historic District. The building, at 10520 Main Street, was the location of Confederate John S. Mosby's raid on Union forces on March 9, 1863.The William Gunnell House has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1987. The house is currently a private residence used for administrative offices of the adjacent Truro Anglican Church. The interior has not been significantly modified since its construction.

Truro Anglican Church is an Anglican church in Fairfax, Virginia, USA.

The Marsh House is a colonial revival vernacular built in 1930. It is part of the City of Fairfax Historic District and currently is used as a commercial building.

The Ford House is a Georgian Revival former home (now a commercial building) built c. 1835. The most famous resident, Antonia Ford, was a spy for the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 as part of the City of Fairfax Historic District.

The City of Fairfax Historic District is a national historic district located at Fairfax, Virginia. It encompasses 28 contributing buildings in the central business district of Fairfax. Notable buildings include the Old Town Hall, which was built in 1900; the Barbour Building; First National Bank of Fairfax; Ford Building; Marsh House; McHugh & Hoffman Building; Rust Building; and Truro Church. Located in the district are the separately listed Historic Fairfax County Courthouse, Old Fairfax County Jail, and Ratcliffe-Logan-Allison House.: 9 It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

The Historic Fairfax County Courthouse is one of the oldest buildings in Fairfax, Virginia. It was constructed in 1799 to serve as the seat of government in Fairfax County. During the American Civil War, the first Confederate officer casualty of the war took place on the courthouse grounds and the building was occupied by both sides in the conflict. Today, the original courthouse building is part of the larger courthouse site that serves the local government of Fairfax County.

The Battle of Fairfax Court House was the first land engagement of the American Civil War with fatal casualties. On June 1, 1861, a Union scouting party clashed with the local militia in the village of Fairfax, Virginia, resulting in the first deaths in action, and the first wounding of a field-grade officer. The Union had sent a regular cavalry patrol under Lieutenant Charles H. Tompkins to estimate enemy numbers in the area. At Fairfax Court House, they surprised a small Confederate rifle company under Captain John Q. Marr, and took some prisoners. Marr rallied his unit, but was killed, and command was taken over by a civilian ex-governor of Virginia, William Smith, who forced the Union to retreat. The engagement is judged to have been inconclusive. The Union did not gain the intelligence it was seeking, and had to delay its drive on Richmond, thus enabling the Confederates to build up their strength at Manassas in advance of the much-bigger battle there, the following month. Tompkins was criticized for exceeding his orders, although they had been somewhat imprecise.

The Old Fairfax County Jail was built in 1885, behind the Fairfax County Court House. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, expanding the previously listed Fairfax County Court House. It is located in the City of Fairfax Historic District.

Old Town Hall is a classical revival style hall that was built in 1900 by Joseph E. Willard and subsequently donated by him to Fairfax, Virginia. The hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 as part of the City of Fairfax Historic District.

The Ratcliffe–Logan–Allison House is a historic home located at Fairfax, Virginia. It is commonly and historically known as Earp's Ordinary, as the structure is an expansion of the original Earp's Ordinary, a late 18th Century building used as a tavern and store by Caleb Earp. It consists of two sections built about 1810 and about 1830, and is a small two-story, single pile brick building. A two-story rear wing connected by a hyphen was added in the 20th century. A postal station and stage coach stop operated from the building in the 1820s-1830s.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It is located in the City of Fairfax Historic District. The house is owned and operated as a historic house museum by the City of Fairfax.