Today, the redoubt near Parking Lot K remains preserved thanks to efforts by the Bull Run Civil War Round Table and George Mason University. Walking paths and interpretive signs now mark the grounds where Confederate and Union units once stood to monitor the strategic routes of Braddock and Ox Roads. The land surrounding the redoubt holds a deep history, one of early war skirmishes, raids by guerrilla forces, and shifting military occupation. Beyond its rich military history, the land also holds the story of the people who lived, worked, and sought freedom across the landscape. Here, Union occupation brought two parallel yet contrasting fates: forcing the secessionist Farr family to flee as their home turned to ash, while simultaneously providing the opportunity for enslaved individuals like Burr to escape towards freedom.

               Multiple avenues remain open for further research on the history of Farr’s Redoubt and Crossroads. Additional military documentation of the construction of both the redoubt at Farr’s Crossroads and the other fortifications in its vicinity could provide greater context into the strategic significance of the area. Additionally, examining records from other units occupying the redoubt could provide a better picture of what life was like for troops stationed at Fairfax in the latter half of the war. Finally, tracing the whereabouts of the enslaved individuals owned by the Farr family after the Civil War could provide a captivating look at the impact of the war on enslaved people who lived in Fairfax.

Lucas Gimm