Burke: Station, Lee Chapel and Racing History

Burke tells its story through stations, markers, chapels and former transportation and racing venues. At the same time, Burke Lake and golfing and mini-golf activities are part of today’s range of experiences. If you are planning a trip, you can therefore choose between cultural and historical discoveries and active hours around Burke Lake, setting different priorities.

Burke Station and the History of the Area

An important point of reference is the historic Burke Station marker on Old Burke Lake Road (Route 8249), 0.01 miles north of Burke Road (Route 652). The marker documents a raid by Confederate General J. E. B. Stuart in December 1862. Another historic marker, named “Burke's Station Wood Choppers and Teamsters,” commemorates the contributions of African American woodcutters and teamsters during the Civil War.

The name of the area itself also points to its early transportation history. Silas Burke donated land to the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. A station was named after him and was initially called “Burke’s Station,” later simply “Burke” for a short time. The Silas Burke House was built around the time of Silas Burke’s marriage in 1824. These details give the area’s history specific names and dates that you can incorporate as thematic focal points when planning your trip.

Chapels, Cemeteries and Historic Memorial Sites

Lee Chapel Cemetery is located at the corner of Lee Chapel Road and Fairfax County Parkway. Lee Chapel was built in 1871 and served for many years as a center for worship and community life for numerous long-established families of Fairfax County. Little Zion Baptist Church was founded in 1891. Together with the Burke Station markers and the Silas Burke House, these sites create a diverse picture of the local past, without limiting Burke’s history to a single era.

A particularly distinctive historical trail also leads to the former site of the Copperthite Race Track. A Fairfax County historic marker was unveiled there. Horse races, trotting races, motorcycle races and automobile races took place at the Copperthite Race Track. The track opened on July 4, 1908, and its grandstand had room for 2,000 people. Anyone interested in the development of public events and motor sports will find an independent perspective on the area’s history here.

Burke Lake and Active Travel Ideas

Burke Lake Park opened in 1963 on land that the federal government had originally acquired for Burke International Airport. The Burke Lake Golf Center is also located in the Burke area: a lightly wooded, 18-hole par-3 course for golfers of all skill levels. Burke Lake Mini Golf offers a wide selection of club sizes for players from age 2 through adulthood. Alongside historical topics, this provides a range of options for play and physical activity.

Choosing Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home in Burke, your preferred travel idea can help guide you. If you want your time to focus primarily on the historical traces of Burke Station, Lee Chapel, Little Zion Baptist Church and the Copperthite racetrack, a cultural and historical itinerary is a good option. Those who would rather include Burke Lake, golf or mini-golf can set a different priority. Completed on March 20, 2022, the Burke Centre VRE Connector Phase IV bicycle and pedestrian project provides a connection from Burke VRE Station to the residential areas west of Oak Leather Drive. This specific transportation connection can also be taken into account when planning your trip.

If you would like to compare Burke with other destinations, you can also find Reston, Mclean, Lorton, Annandale, Springfield, Herndon, Vienna and Chantilly.

For the broader travel overview: Fairfax County.