History:

Although Herndon's history goes back to the early 1700's it wasn't until the construction of the Alexandria Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad that the development of Herndon took off. The railroad linked Washington, D.C. to Winchester Virginia. A post office was created due to the railroad stop, on July 13, 1858 the post office established the town's name as Herndon after hearing of the heroism of Captain William Lewis Herndon who had gone down with his ship, the S.S. Central America. The town was incorporated in 1879.

The Railroad was renamed to the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, providing transportation for vacationers who used Herndon as their summer getaway. Perhaps the most important of the jobs performed by the railroad was hauling sand for use in the concrete mixers for Dulles International Airport's runways. The last of the trains left the Herndon Station in 1968.

As a major hub of Internet commerce, Herndon continues to enjoy strong economic growth
while maintaining its historic past thanks in part to the efforts of the Historic Preservation District which tends 304 properties and 125 acres.

Topography/Climate:

Arts & Leisure:

The Council for the Arts of Herndon promotes many programs in order to maintain an active cultural experience. The Elden Street Players, a regional theater group, has been voted the top theater group in the Washington area. During the summer months, Friday Night Live concerts are held on the Town Green, orchestral ensembles from the Amadeus Orchestra to the award winning Herndon High School Orchestra can be heard there.

The spring brings us the Taste of the Town which is followed in early June by the Herndon Festival which attracts visitors from all our neighboring communities, from the carnival rides to shows and displays this is an event which is looked forward to by most of the people in this area. While in season, the Farmers Market is in town every Thursday. In the Fall the Hispanic Fiesta fills the square with the sounds and foods of a rich culture. In December, carols, lights and holiday spirit can also be experienced at the Town Green.

The Herndon Community Center offers many classes and events, with its indoor pool and gym, it is a center of activities for our community. Outside the tennis and basketball courts as well as the athletic fields offer many outlets for those interested in sports. Across from the Community Center is Herndon's 18 hole golf course complete with all the amenities. Perhaps the most well equipped athletic club in Northern Virginia, The Worldgate Athletic Club, is located in Herndon. For the equestrian enthusiast there are horse shows and other events at Frying Pan Park as well as classes and boarding at Follylick farm which is home of the Young Family.

Recreational parks, playgrounds and fields can be found throughout our town. Considered to be the "longest" park in the United States, the W&OD National Park runs through the center of town. Created from what used to be the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad it runs from Alexandria to our east, through the Blue Ridge to the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains to our west.

Medical:

Medical care is moments away as Access Emergency Care is located within two minutes of the center of town. Reston Hospital Center, a complete care facility is within two miles. Also nearby is the Fairfax Hospital and Loudon Memorial Hospital.

Religious:

There is one Catholic church as well as seven Protestant churches located in Herndon. One Jewish synagogue resides in Herndon and two in nearby Reston. (Herndon Churches)

Schools:

Herndon has four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. There is another middle school in the planning stages. The Northern Virginia area is rich in higher education opportunities with George Mason University located in our own County of Fairfax. Northern Virginia Community College has a campus located within 7 miles of Herndon and many other colleges and universities have extension programs in this area. We are also close to Washington's Catholic, American, Howard, George Washington and Georgetown Universities.

The Herndon High School Band has been a part of Northern Virginia for more than 40 years.  The oldest established high school band in Fairfax County had its genesis when dedicated parents and citizens convinced Vladamir Johnson, a Russian interpreter and part-time music teacher from Washington, D.C., to rehearse a group of fledgling musicians in the rural town of Herndon.

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