Wiehle

Wiehle was an incorporated town in western Fairfax County, occupying a portion of what is now Reston.

Wiehle was the dream of Dr. C. A. Max Wiehle, a German-born physician who had retired from his practice in Philadelphia in 1881 and moved to Washington, D.C.[1]

In 1886, Wiehle, in partnership with General William McKee Dunn, purchased 6,450 acres of forested land along the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad line in Fairfax County for about $20,000.[1] The partners divided the land, with Wiehle taking the 3,228 acres north of the rail line.[2]

Wiehle hired a German surveyor, Joseph Berry, to lay out the plan of his proposed town, which was completed in 1892.[1][2] He constructed a two story building which served as the town hall and a church.

On July 15, 1895, the Aesculapean Hotel, a summer resort, opened for business at the location.[3]

The town was incorporated in by an act of the Virginia General Assembly on February 9, 1898.[4][5] Dr. Wiehle was elected mayor by the town council on February 26.[6]

However, the proposed town grew slowly, and after Dr. Wiehle died on February 23, 1901, became moribund.

The town's charter was revoked in February 1990.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 MacDonald, Gregg. "Wiehle's Legacy Lives on in Reston." The Washington Post. WP Company, 4 Apr. 2012. Web. 11 Feb. 2017.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "A Look at Reston Pre-History." Connection Newspapers. Connection Newspapers, 4 Aug. 2009. Web. 11 Feb. 2017.
  3. ↑ The Aesculapean. The Evening Star [Washington, D.C.] 6 July 1895: 12. Via Chronicling America. Web. 12 Feb. 2017
  4. ↑ Virginia General Assembly. An Act to incorporate the town of Wiehle in Fairfax County. Chapter 281. Acts and Joint Resolutions Passed By The General Assembly of the State of Virginia During the Session of 1897-'98. pp. 309-312.Via Google Books.
  5. ↑ Richardson, Lynda. "Va. Assembly may Let Ghost Town of Wiehle Rest in Peace." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 2. Jan 30 1989. ProQuest. Web. 11 Feb. 2017.
  6. ↑ "The Town of Wiehle." Alexandria Gazette 4 Mar. 1898: 2. Via Chronicling America. Web. 12 Feb. 2017.