A snap shot in time of Lorton, Virginia

Lorton, Virginia

How time has changed this area.  It was but 10 years ago when the biggest known symbol of Lorton, Virginia closed it's doors to the last violent convicted felony prisoners at the Lorton Correctional Complex.  This complex was open in the early 1900's and only housed minimal security prisoners for the District of Columbia (DC)  It was that over the years the population rose to over 10000.  The overpopulation and the violent and drug crimes that ran ramped inside the prison itself was enough to raise concern of the citizens of the rural city of Lorton.  In 1997, Congress conveined and voted to close Lorton Correctional Complex over the next 4 years.

Since the closing of the Lorton Correctional Complex, the land was given to Fairfax County and since then Lorton had been a striving and developing area.  The 3000 acres of land that the complex sat on was renovated and developed.  Firstly, the beautiful open courtyard and the barracks were saved and turned into a Arts and Crafts complex called DC Workhouse Arts Center:

This complex has brought a unity of community back to the area which was separated by a huge prison in the middle.  With this change it also brought new housing developments and schools to be built in the area which is bringing more population in this area. Three big shopping complexes have opened in the surrounding areas:

Lorton Market Shopping right off I-95 and Lorton Road:

Lorton Town Center on Lorton Station Road (right in the heart of new housing development):

Lorton Valley on Ox Road which is the western most area of Lorton:

The other awesome symbol of Lorton which also came from the land the correctional complex was on are the regional parks that were developed.  This neighborhood now has The Occoquan Regional Park, Laurel Hill Golf Course and the Laurel Hill and Equestrian Park.  These parks are used daily and Lorton hosts many community events at the different parks year round.

Since I work from home, I don't commute except to make it to the local Starbucks at the Lorton Valley Shopping Center.  This is where I will hold small business meetings.  I have Xed both my home and the Starbucks in my neighborhood to show I practically travel through the entire city of Lorton to go from my house to Starbucks.  I get to see my neighborhood as it become vibrant and busy almost each morning.

Here is the Map of my neighborhood:  Lorton, Virginia

Lorton, Virginia