Burke in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Silas Burke House
The historic home at 9617 Burke Lake Rd. was the residence of Lieutenant Colonel Silas Burke, his wife, Hanna Coffer Burke, and their two children. Silas Burke had this house built close to the time of his marriage in 1824. Burke was a successful entrepreneur and operated a store, mill, and a blacksmith shop. He was a director for the Fairfax Turnpike Company and the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, and served as Chief Justice of the Fairfax County Court. Burke's efforts brought the railroad through his property and his neighbors'. Additionally, Silas Burke served as a county sheriff, a lieutenant colonel in the county militia, school commissioner, and president of the Fairfax Agricultural Society.
In 1891, John Marshall, owner of Burke's general store, purchased the home. In the early 1900s, Henry Copperthite purchased the property. Copperthite was the owner of the local race track and, in 1925, William and Nellie Simpson purchased the Silas Burke House. In 2016, the Simpson-Fowler family entrusted the house to Sunrise Senior Living.
This project would not have been possible without the guidance, support, and cooperation of many people from Fairfax County and from Burke Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
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Location. 38° 47.214′ N, 77° 16.597′ W. Marker is in Burke, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from Burke Lake Road (Virginia Route 645) near Shiplett Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9617 Burke Lake Road, Burke VA 22015, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ice House (a few steps from this marker); Windmill (a few steps from this marker); Wood Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Silas Burke House (within shouting distance of this marker); Burke's Station (approx. half a mile away); Copperthite Racetrack (approx. half a mile away); Marshall Family Cemetery (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burke.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 2,314 times since then and 734 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 26, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
