For more than two centuries, the abandoned abode of a Revolutionary War hero and subsequent prison superintendents has stood as a silent sentinel of history.
Following the Revolutionary War, William Lindsay, a stalwart member of the Virginia Militia and contemporary of luminaries such as George Mason and George Washington, secured a 1,000-acre homestead near what is now Lorton, Virginia. In 1787, Lindsay erected his domicile atop one of the estate’s highest points. The traditional colonial-style dwelling was christened Laurel Hill, allegedly in homage to his family’s ancestral estate in Northern Ireland. Folklore suggests that during Lindsay’s tenure, one could savor a vista of the Potomac River from the residence’s threshold, though the encroachment of modern urbanization and foliage has since obscured this scenic panorama.
William Lindsay’s residency in his newfound domicile proved tragically brief, as he fell victim to gout in 1792. Following Lindsay’s demise, ownership of the Laurel Hill House transitioned among his kin. Lindsay and his wife found their final resting place approximately a hundred yards behind the dwelling, within what is now identified as the Lindsay Family Cemetery. Though initially intended for Lindsay and his spouse, the cemetery is suspected to contain several other unmarked graves, likely those of Lindsay’s offspring. The grave markers for Lindsay and his wife purportedly came later, courtesy of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Bordered by four brick pillars connected by a low iron-pipe railing, the cemetery lies amid tall grass near the former No. 9 Guard Tower of the D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory, presaging the estate’s future.
Throughout the 19th century, Laurel Hill House changed hands numerous times until it fell under the ownership of Howe Totten, a Washington, D.C. barrister, in 1906. Totten utilized the residence as a rural sanctuary and a breeding ground for prize-winning Great Danes. It is speculated that several expansions, including the addition of a wraparound porch, occurred during his tenure. However, Totten’s tranquility was disrupted in 1910 with the establishment of the D.C. Workhouse Prison, situated just a few miles away. Displeased with his newfound neighbors, Totten vented his grievances in missives to local newspapers, voicing concerns about the prison’s security and other matters. In 1914, the federal government acquired 153 acres of the Laurel Hill property, encompassing the house itself, to establish an adjoining reformatory for individuals serving lengthy sentences.
Following its acquisition by the federal government, the house transitioned into accommodation for various staff members of the prison, particularly its superintendents. This era witnessed numerous structural additions and alterations, including the incorporation of three new rooms on the east side. By 1918, the Reformatory Entrance Drive was established along the west side of the house, becoming the principal access route to the reformatory until the 1950s. Presently, this walled road has significantly deteriorated, shrouded in vegetation, with certain segments now cordoned off.
By the late 1930s, a neoclassical terraced garden emerged on the east side of the hill where the residence stands, boasting intricate brickwork, a fountain, a retaining pool, and sweeping vistas. Although the garden’s origins remain somewhat enigmatic, it is believed to have been constructed by incarcerated individuals as part of a program aimed at imparting construction and gardening skills. Today, the garden lies nearly obscured by dense foliage, camouflaged in plain sight. In 2009, the Fairfax County Park Authority compiled a Cultural Landscape Report featuring treatment plans outlining the prospective restoration of the garden, although these initiatives are yet to be realized.
By the early 1970s, Laurel Hill House had been left vacant and abandoned. Images from this period depict a residence that, while still receiving some degree of upkeep, had clearly suffered from years of neglect, resulting in a deteriorated state.
By 2002, the D.C. Workhouse and Reformatory had ceased operations, leading to Fairfax County assuming ownership of the house and its vast 2,400-acre expanse. Recognizing its historical significance, the property was designated as a historic district and was subsequently added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
In 2008, efforts were made to repurpose the former workhouse into a cultural arts center, injecting renewed vitality into the site. Presently, plans are in progress to reimagine the reformatory as a dynamic urban living community named “Liberty,” marking yet another chapter in the ongoing transformation of this illustrious property.
Despite ongoing discussions about restoring Laurel Hill House since 2007, concrete plans for its restoration have yet to materialize, according to various online sources and reports from Fairfax County. As a result, the house and its once-grand terraced garden remain in a state of disrepair, underscoring the challenges in preserving this historic property.
