[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9008-9009]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE TOWN OF DUMFRIES' 250TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 10, 1999

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to 
rise today to pay tribute to the Town of Dumfries and its good people 
as they celebrate their 250th anniversary. The Town of Dumfries, 
located in Prince William County, has played a significant role in 
shaping the Eleventh District and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
  It is an honor for me to highlight the foundations of Dumfries, 
Virginia. The history of Dumfries echoes the commitment to establish a 
new and greater world by our nation's founding fathers. I ask of you to 
join me as we turn back the pages of history and share the last 250 
years of the Town of Dumfries.
  Captain John Smith first saw Dumfries as he and his courageous team 
of explorers sailed up the Potomac River in 1608. In 1651, Richard 
Turney was issued the first patent in an area that would later become 
``Old'' Prince William County.
  Development began before 1690 as river front plantations began to 
take shape and commercial enterprises were established.
  In 1749, the Town of Dumfries was officially chartered.
  The directors and trustees included George Mason, author of the 
Virginia Declaration of Rights and the principle figure in insisting 
that the Constitution of the United States of America contain the Bill 
of Rights. By 1759, the legislature moved the county court to Dumfries. 
Dumfries had grown into a major center of commerce. Dumfries' port 
rivaled those of New York, Philadelphia and Boston.
  In 1796, after several up and down decades, the merchants of Dumfries 
formed the Quantico Creek Navigation Company to compete with other 
river ports and to help facilitate the trade town's economy.
  During the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee brought many troops into 
the area to protect the Potomac River line. This brought much 
excitement to the area, in what had primarily become an agriculture 
town over the previous five decades. With the growth of America's 
railroad system, the economy turned to oak railroad ties as the primary 
means of trade.
  In 1872, the Town of Dumfries was officially incorporated by the 
state legislature in Richmond.
  We jump now to 1920, the King's Highway of the colonial days and 
Telegraph Road of the Civil War, now known as U.S. Highway 1 was 
overhauled to carry the north and south traffic patterns. This remained 
a main transportation crossing until the construction of the modern-day 
interstate highway system. The Town of Dumfries has continued to grow 
and sustain a well-balanced community ever since.

[[Page 9009]]

  In 1961, the Town of Dumfries celebrated the reinstitution of its 
charter. A town celebration was also held to honor the Bicentennial of 
the United States of America.
  Today, the Town of Dumfries is proud of the growth and success of its 
recently formed industrial park.
  Mayor Christopher Keith Brown, currently serving his first term, has 
been a lifelong resident of the Town of Dumfries. Mayor Brown has 
played an extremely important role in the success of the Town of 
Dumfries and its anniversary celebration. I know and trust that the 
Town of Dumfries is in good hands for the future with Mayor Brown as 
its leader.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in honoring the Town of 
Dumfries on its 250th anniversary. The residents of Dumfries have been 
outstanding citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Their commitment 
to enhancing the greater Prince William community is greatly 
appreciated. I know my colleagues join me in saluting the Town of 
Dumfries on their very special anniversary and wish them continued 
success into the future.

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