Dating to the early 18th century, the town of Occoquan was built principally around tobacco and milling industries. The name comes from a Dogue Indian word meaning "end of the waters," indicating the confluence of the Occoquan River and the nearby Potomac River.
Rich in history—the old mill, which operated for over 175 years before fire destroyed it in 1924, was the first automated gristmill in the country—and fascinating ghostly hauntings, Occoquan today is known for its small shops and restaurants. Locals as well as out-of-state visitors enjoy spending the day in this charming town.
I shoot and write one Viewfinder article per week; you will see much more of Occoquan in the coming weeks. I try to keep each shoot logically framed: in this case, the subtopic was Mill Street. If there are particular spots you would like to see in Viewfinder, please let me know! Steph
The two tall townhouses at the end of Mill Street are technically not 'historic'. They were built in the 1970's, using old materials so they would blend in with the town. Still, they are very cool looking structures!