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A Very Brief
History of Two Towns
In 1799, the
Town of Haymarket was chartered by the Virginia General
Assembly. A few years later In
1852,
the Manassas Gap Railroad reached the nearby area and that stop
became known as Gainesville. Gainesville was the changing point
for
stagecoach horses on the Fauquier & Alexandria
Turnpike. Life prospered in the two towns until 1862 when during
the Civil War, Haymarket succumbed to fires and looting. Sadly,
only four buildings, St. Paul’s and three small houses nearby
were spared.
Following
General Lee’s surrender, Haymarket began to recover, slowly
regaining its former size and prosperity and was incorporated
in1882. Its re-growth came from orchards, vineyards, farms and
new construction. The Haymarket horse race track was a 19th
century attraction. Meantime, the town of Gainesville, a shipping
point for
grain,
timber
and
cattle,
continued their cattle shipping into the early
1960s.
Haymarket
ordinances provide a glimpse of Haymarket life back then:
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Horses
should not be run or ridden at dangerous speeds within the
town.
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Street
trees and shrubbery were protected from inconsiderate
citizens.
-
Profane
language was forbidden within hearing distance of another
person.
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All good rules
today.
In 1994, the groundbreaking for Gainesville’s first town home
community began; it was named Crossroads. This marked the
beginning of mass-development for Gainesville. Within fourteen
years, commerce, home building and recreational amenities have
exploded. These two historic communities have a great deal to
offer and rich past to build upon. Visit our gallery for a present-day tour.
About Us
The Haymarket
Gainesville Business Association was established in 1990 when
the Association was formed by a local group of professionals and
business owners who recognized the area’s potential. In 2007, the
organization reorganized to meet the ever changing needs of the
Haymarket and Gainesville residents and businesses due to massive growth in the
area. We are a force within the Haymarket-Gainesville business
community. We offer a forum for information sharing and
contribute to community projects that positively impact
businesses and residents. Our goal is to have every
Haymarket and Gainesville business become a member of our
organization for a greater voice.
Please read our benefits. We meet every third Tuesday of the month from 4-6 pm. Check our calendar and newsletter for venues, speakers, topics and more.
Mission Statement
To encourage
the establishment, growth and promotion of businesses within the
Haymarket Gainesville community through active communications,
networking and community involvement among our membership. We
partner with local governments and communities providing a forum
to offer solutions, resolve issues and plan for future growth.
Through this partnership, we will be able to accomplish projects
that positively impact businesses and residents in the Haymarket
Gainesville area while preserving its rich heritage.
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