Joseph Plaskett, the owner of a general store and post office, lent the name of his hometown in England to Lorton. Lorton’s history is seen throughout downtown and suburban areas. Historic landmarks such as Gunston Hall, Pohick Church, Belvoir, Woodlawn Plantation and Mt. Vernon all signify timeless tales of Lorton’s life as a city. Gunston Hall was the home of the United States Founding Father George Mason. The home is now a museum highlighting details of Mason’s civic career and sits on massive grounds with views of the Potomac River from mason’s garden overlook. Another home known as Belvoir, was the historic plantation of the prominent William Fairfax family. The Woodlawn Plantation is a historic home that was a part of George Washington’s historic plantation estate. Also on this estate is the Loren Pope Residence, a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Go from learning about Lorton to enjoying its abundance of parks. The spacious Occoquan Regional Park is located on the Occoquan River and is the trailhead for other parks of natural significance including the Fairfax Cross-County Trail, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, the Occoquan Water Trail and the Chesapeake National Historic Trail. If you missed wildlife while trekking through Lorton’s trails, you’re sure to find some at Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, an area created to protect bald eagle nesting, feeding and roosting habitats along the Potomac River. This 2276-acre refuge in the Mason Neck State Park contains 2000 acres of hardwood forest, the largest freshwater marsh in Northern Virginia and six miles of shoreline. To see how the Founding Fathers lived and to get your fill of outdoor recreation, head to Lorton.
Hotels near the area offer everything you need to step back in time while surrounded by Lorton’s natural beauty. Book with Choice Hotels near Lorton to make the most of your trip to this city along the Potomac River in Virginia. Book online now!