It was the river and its location, at the head of the tidewater, that made Occoquan a natural site for water-borne commerce, from the earliest days of the settlement of Virginia.
A tobacco warehouse was built as early as 1736, and an industrial complex begun in 1750. Before the turn of the century, Occoquan had forges, water grist mills, tolling mills, a bake house, saw mills, storehouses and dwellings. The Merchant's Mill became the first automated grist mill in the nation. Grain was taken from the holds of ships and off barges, processed, and returned to these carriers by machinery operated by only one man, then transported to markets from Alexandria to the West Indies.
The mill operated for 175 years until it was destroyed by fire. The only remaining part, the miller's office, is now a museum operated by Historic Occoquan.
In 1804, the town was laid off into streets and lots by Nathaniel Ellicott, James Campbell and Luke Wheeler, who are considered the founders of the town.
By 1835, the Gazetteer of Virginia reported that Occoquan had "about 50 dwellings, houses, several mercantile stores and various mechanics," and by 1838 the town boasted one of the first cotton mills in Virginia. Farmers and traders came from as far away as the Blue Ridge Mountains. Those who came to town by horse and wagon spent the day shopping for necessities, before staying overnight at either the Alton or Hammill Hotels.
Occoquan's economy, prior to the Civil War, specialized in a wide variety of goods and services, from ship building and cotton and grist mill products, to trade in cord wood, fish and river ice. The first commercial ice storage house in the area, was built in Occoquan . The ice was harvested each winter and stored for later shipment to Washington, DC. Pine log pilings and railroad ties were also rafted up from Occoquan to Philadelphia and New York.
A mail stage route had been authorized through Occoquan as early as 1805. The Occoquan Post Office therefore became the main delivery point for letters and packages between families in the North and the South. During 1862, the Confederate forces under General Wade Hampton wintered over in Occoquan in the Hammill Hotel, which still stands at the corner of Union and Commerce Streets, before beginning the spring campaign season.
The dawn of the 20th Century saw Occoquan bustling with grocery stores, a lumber and hardware store, drugstore, millinery, churches, school, blacksmith, barber, undertaker, doctor and pharmacy. The Oddfellows Hall became the first opera house in the area, and the Lyric Theater brought people to town from all around. Circuses and traveling shows set up at the public wharf in summer, while skating was the favorite winter activity. Occoquan had become the social as well as commercial center for the area.
However, a fire devastated much of the town in 1919. Route 1 opened soon after, in 1928, and carried traffic away from Occoquan. The Occoquan River silted up, and the new railroad bypassed the town, causing local industries to decline. Finally, in 1972, Hurricane Agnes struck - destroying buildings, sidewalks, streets and the remaining Occoquan Iron-Truss Bridge.
Any one of these events might have been enough to wipe away a small riverfront town, but not Occoquan. Townspeople, merchants and people interested in history repaired, rebuilt and restored the town. They have created a unique place which offers boating and fishing, fine shopping and antiquing, pleasant dining, and a chance to experience a truly special Virginia town.
The Town of Occoquan features a large number and variety of historic homes and businesses. Most have been in continuous use for over 100 years, and many for over 200. Several of these old buildings also feature local ghosts. Some of these ghosts have been authenticated by outside experts, others have been witnessed by residents and visitors to town.
The Occoquan (3) Rt. 1 and Annapolis Way, in 1608 Captain John Smith found the "King's House of the Dogue Indians. In 1729, "King" TM Carter built a landing here to ship copper ore. A town called Colchester was established here in 1753. Occoquan, to the west, was founded in 1804. On December 27,1862, Wade Hampton raided Occoquan.
Town of Occoquan (30) Rt 123, at Occoquan Bridge, Nathaniel Ellicott formally established the town in 1804, bringing to fruition industrial and commercial developments begun 'at or near the falls of Occoquan' by John Ballendine c. 1750. The estuary of the Occoquan has attracted the attention of travelers since the time of John Smith. Adjacent lands were patented by the 16505; copper was being shipped from 'King' Carter's landing, and tobacco from a public warehouse by the 1730s.
Town of Occoquan (31) Corner of Washington and Mill Streets, In 1758 when John Ballendine built his dwelling "Rockledge," at Occoquan, the town began to prosper. By 1765 it was a flourishing industrial settlement with grist mills, foundry and tobacco warehouses. "Rockledge" and a portion of merchants (grist) mill still stand at the west end of Mill Street.
If ghostly haunts are your cup of tea, Occoquan, Virginia is a must. The town has an inordinate amount of spooks per capita. First settled in the 1700s, Occoquan is a Dogue Indian word meaning "at the end of the water."
301 Commerce Street - The original 1790 structure was constructed entirely of hand-hewn timber and wood pegs. Renovations have revealed old newspapers from the 19th century, used as insulation in the attic.
303 Commerce Street - The Shanklin home was originally built in 1880. The residents fled when the fire of 1916 threatened the building. The Methodist Church next door was burned to the ground along with the nearby Occoquan Jail.
310 Commerce Street - The Occoquan Schoolhouse - This house was built as a two-room schoolhouse, with the lower grades on one side, and the higher grades on the other. The side walk out was marked with an 'L' and an 'H' to make sure there was no confusion.
312 Commerce Street - This home is among those to have survived all the fires and floods of the 20th century. A 'mischievous' specter resides here. It messes with the thermostat and unscrews the light bulbs. But the owners can put up with it because the ghost also has been known to sweep the floors.
206 Mill Street - This 17th century house faces the river and the old town common, where tent shows and circuses were frequent in the early 19th century. On the staircase is a break in the wall, which shows the big brick ballast and oyster shell mortar used for construction. Charlotte (the local ghost) loves it when new merchandise comes in. At night when the stores have closed, she will rearrange the new stock and then leaves a flower behind before she leaves.
301 Mill Street - The Occoquan Inn - The central part of this building, with the rugged brick fireplace, is the surviving section of the original residence built in 1810. The building became known as an 'Inn', and welcomed visitors to Occoquan, both by boat and from the great North-South route through town. The ghost of the last Occoquan Indian is an occasional visitor of the Occoquan Inn. He has been seen several times reflected in an upstairs mirror.
302 Mill Street - Leary's Lumber and Hardware Store - Built in the 1860's, the hardware store supplied the town and surrounding community with all their general merchandise needs. The old sales counter is still inside the front window where it is said to be used by the building's crotchety elderly apparition, but only after regular business hours. Mrs. Leary chased kids away and tried to keep the corner quiet.
304 Mill Street - The front part of this building was the only post office in the area for many years. Occoquan was the main delivery point for mail between the North and South during the Civil War. During this period the women of the Mount Vernon area used the ferry to come and post their mail in Occoquan.
306 Mill Street - Wayland's Grocery - Robert Wayland proudly put his name on the front of the building when he opened the original grocery store in 1931. It later became the town drugstore. Original store counters still line the walls.
307 Mill Street - A flickering candle is the sign of the candle toting female specter in this old Occoquan building. Tired of dreary winter mornings, she sometimes lights a candle in the early morning to chase the night away.
308 Mill Street - The Bank of Occoquan - One of the first in the area, the bank opened around 1900, with the bank president living upstairs. The vaults and night depository are still visible.
309 Mill Street - The Funeral Parlor - This was once the primary funeral parlor for a two county area. It seems that at least one of its past customers decided to stick around. Others say it is actually a ghostly undertaker. Footsteps are often heard at the stores that now occupy the building, even when no one else is there.
313 Mill Street - The bricks in the building came from England as ballast for the shops loading at the Occoquan docks. Since the turn of the century, the structure has been a general store. The upstairs shops now occupy the space where the owner and his family lived. No one knows who the ghost is, but sooty footprints have been seen inside the building. Whispering voices and rearranged merchandise are the ghostly activities reported here.
403 Mill Street - The Lyric Theatre - This was the first movie house in Occoquan. Watch your step as you enter, and you can still feel the sloping aisle. The space upstairs was formerly the projector room.
404 Mill Street - Built about 1840, this house has been a store and dwelling ever since. The first drug store in own was located here. Mr. Hammill, the owner in the late 1800's, regaled customers with personal stories of the Civil War in Occoquan. Dr. Hornbaker lived and practiced in the back.
406 Mill Street - Built around 1760, this is reportedly the oldest house in town. Although not often seen, a female ghost has been spotted on occasion in this home.
410 Mill Street - Rockledge - John Ballandine, a local industrialist, built this Georgian mansion in 1758 with the help of master builder, William Buckland. The ghost here is tha of a Confederate Solider.
413 Mill Street - The Mill House Museum - The miller's office was located behind the grist mill on the river's edge. The Merchants Mill was originally built in 1759, and operated until 1924, when it was destroyed by fire. The "Mill House" is now a museum with artifacts and memorabilia of Occoquan.
Rockledge Mansion - Rockledge - John Ballandine, a local industrialist, built this Georgian mansion in 1758 with the help of master builder, William Buckland. The ghost here is said to be that of a Confederate Soldier.
Mill House - The Mill House Museum - The miller's office was located behind the grist mill on the river's edge. The Merchants Mill was originally built in 1759, and operated until 1924, when it was destroyed by fire. The "Mill House" is now a museum with artifacts and memorabilia of Occoquan.
201 Union Street - The Courtyard - Tucked into a corner at Union and Mill Streets, is "The Courtyard". It was constructed with bricks from the brick-kiln across the river. The Town Well was located here for many years. The resident 'silent' ghost seems to like his abode to be quiet. The owners have found that their noisy chimes are torn down.
203 Union Street - Circa 1870, this building is an excellent example of the 19th century Occoquan architecture. The former residence has the original German siding, twin front doors, working shutters and pillared porch. The roof is of pressed tin.
206 Union Street - The Hammill Hotel - Located at te corner of Union and Commerce Streets, it is the oldest brick structure in Occoquan, dating from 1804. Confederate General Wade Hampton housed his brigade headquarters here in the winter of 1862, until forced to flee to Balywhack Creek from advancing Union forces.
204 Washington Street - In this 1910 structure resides several ghosts, some who are even active during the day.
Ebenezer Church - Founded by ex-slave Reverend Henry Bailey in 1883, this was the first Black church in the area. Reverend Bailey's descendants are still active in the congregation.
