Mayfield Fort Historic Site - At Yarn's Length

Mayfield Fort is one of two remaining Civil War-era forts in Manassas, Virginia. This Confederate-built earthen work fort was built in what used to be called Manassas Junction and its primary purpose was to protect rail lines.

Originally, Mayfield Fort was a circle of raised earth with planks, timbers, and brush supporting artillery.

Today, it is a beautiful historic site. I visited on a fall day, just past the peak of the leaves changing color.

The park is tucked back from the nearest main road, Liberia Avenue, and completely invisible if you’re simply passing by. I nearly missed it! The entrance to the site is shared with an apartment complex and a few footworn trails connect the paths of the site to sections of the neighborhood.

The parking lot had ample space, though I did run into several folks walking the fort path. Some were walking their dogs, some were sight-seeing, and some were simply enjoying the beautiful day.

Several interpretive markers line the path, the top of the fort, and the farmstead and cemetery beyond. They tell the story of Mayfield Fort from construction to abandonment as well as the stories of the families who lived in the area.

The Climb

The path to the top of Mayfield Fort is not very steep or long, but it climbs at a steady grade.

Honestly, I didn’t mind pausing to read the interpretive markers!

The woods are isolating at this site. You can still hear cars, but it’s hard to believe you are still in Manassas.

From the winding path, you can also look up for a glimpse of the peak. It is not hard to imagine that attacking from this angle would be a great risk.

Still, the fort was taken over and occupied by Union forces a few times during the war.

During one occupation, they discovered the fort — this time abandoned by Confederate troops — had been “defended,” at least in part, by logs made to look like cannons! The fort used to feature replicas of these “Quaker guns,” too.

The Summit

The climb to the top feels like an achievement! There is a cannon here, plus 8 more interpretive markers.

There are also benches, in case you need to catch your breath! The length of the path to this point was just over half a mile and smoothly paved.

This cannon, a replica of a columbiad, represents one of many that defended this fort. I learned that these cannons were great at tearing holes in ships and many used by the Confederacy had also been used in the War of 1812.

Some columbiads were also manufactured during the Civil War, but the Confederates did not cast them in the same fashion as Union artilleryman and innovator Thomas Jackson Rodman. They were considerably weaker than the counterparts produced by the Union and more prone to breakage.

The Family Farm & Cemetery

Continuing beyond the fort, I found the interpretive markers explaining the layout of the Hooe family farm site. There is a family cemetery on the site; it is still maintained and protected by fencing. I saw markers that dated as far back as the 1740s (birthdate) as well as some that were dated as recently as the 1920s (death date).