The area has become a popular destination for families thanks to its rural atmosphere, excellent schools, low crime rate and spectacular beauty. While the communities are primarily residential in nature, all of the amenities of a major metropolitan area are just minutes away in Leesburg with plenty of shopping, cultural activities and entertainment facilities.
Recreational opportunities abound. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park offer everything from hiking and biking to river rafting and fishing. The nearby George Washington and Jefferson National Forests feature 1.8 million acres of scenic drives, hiking & biking, swimming, boating, horseback riding and other activities. Lake Arrowhead offers area's largest white sand swimming beach, fishing, boating, picnic shelters, volleyball, nature trails and scenic mountain settings.
Other attractions include local vineyards, a number of magnificent bed and breakfast inns, plenty of world-class golf courses, historical homes and farms, equestrian facilities and many Civil War sites. A number of historic battlefield parks are within a short drive including Manassas, Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Chancellorsville, Antietam and Harper's Ferry.
Waterford has retained much of its pre-Civil War charm. In 1943, some village residents began the Waterford Homes Tour and Crafts Exhibit, an annual event that continues today and is held the first weekend in October. In 1970, Waterford and 1,420 surrounding acres were designated a National Historic Landmark.
Most of Waterford's houses were built in the first quarter of the 19th century, when the town grew rapidly as a commercial center. Many of the structures that survive today as dwellings began as shops or stores. The architecture from this "Federal Period" dominates the town, but examples from other periods appear here as well.
Waterford suffered greatly during the Civil War. In some ways it never recovered from the physical, economic and psychological blows. Because the large Quaker population remained loyal to the Union-and steadfastly pacifist-it endured repeated Confederate harassment and depredation.
After the war many former residents of Waterford stayed in the north or moved to the Midwest-others followed them. Of those who persevered in Waterford, few regained their former prosperity. Commercial development in the village was further weakened in the 1870s, when the railroad pushed west of Leesburg but bypassed Waterford. While local farmers benefited from the improved access to urban markets, the rising tide of cheaper goods from large manufacturing centers rendered much local cottage industry obsolete.
Lovettsville is a small town in northern Virginia about two miles from the Maryland border. It was settled in 1732 by German immigrants. Lovettsville was originally called New Town and then Thrusher's Store. The town was eventually named Lovettsville after Daniel Lovett who laid out the street plans for the town in 1820. Lovettsville is surrounded by beautiful farms. The world famous author Katherine Patterson once taught the sixth grade in Lovettsville. Her book, Bridge to Terabithia,was inspired by her life in Lovettsville.