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The Virginia State Review and Historic Resources boards unanimously approved an open-space easement donation in eastern Culpeper County for conservation during a joint meeting in Richmond on Sept. 17.
Located on U.S. 29, Willow Run Farm is the 433-plus acre property southeast of Culpeper Regional Airport and owned by brothers Chuck and Pete Gyory.
The property was once eyed for a massive real estate development project just three years ago.
If approved, the scenic farmland would have been transformed into a 3 million square foot retail hub featuring shops, gas stations, 16 restaurants, a movie theater, ice-skating rink, three hotels, 300-loft style apartments, office space, a lighted golf course, retirement center, water park, equestrian center, private school and 9,078 parking spaces.
Obviously, the proposal never materialized due to the grim real estate market.
Historic significance
According to local historian Clark “Bud” Hall, the Gyory property has a historic significance.
Union cavalry, under the command of Major Gen. Joseph Hooker crossed the Rappahannock River on June 9, 1863 and attacked Major Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry and several Confederate brigades, beginning the Battle of Brandy Station, the largest cavalry battle of the Civil War and the inaugural action of the Gettysburg Campaign.
During the battle, Union cavalry raced across the Gyory property to the attack, only to be driven back by counter-attacking Confederate troops, according to Hall.
The cavalry battle lasted all day, with 21 separate engagements centering on both sides’ attempts to obtain and hold artillery positions at Fleetwood Hill.
“Although the Federal forces finally withdrew, having never achieved their primary goal, the Union cavalry gained valuable experience and confidence, which would later be used to good advantage against the Confederate Army,” Hall added.
The Gyory property also served as the winter camp of the Army of the Potomac’s Sixth Corps in December 1863, providing space for 20,000 men as well as the location of the “beef depot” set up to feed the entire 120,000 army.
Today, the property contains a modern dwelling, a historic livestock barn, corn crib, and other agricultural outbuildings.
“Protection of the Gyroy property will not only serve to preserve a portion of the battlefield, it will also protect open space and view shed, allowing the visitor to experience sights similar to those experienced by soldiers during the battle,” said Hall.
“The easement also will help preserve the rural, agricultural character and use of this portion of Culpeper County, assist in protecting water quality, and protect the archaeological potential of the property as a whole,” Hall continued. “It will open opportunities for cooperative interpretation and tourism activities with other preservation organizations.”
The Gyory property is located near Fleetwood Heights, Louis Pound and Whitney Pound tracts, most of which is under historic preservation and open space easements, according to Hall.
Located on U.S. 29, Willow Run Farm is the 433-plus acre property southeast of Culpeper Regional Airport and owned by brothers Chuck and Pete Gyory.
The property was once eyed for a massive real estate development project just three years ago.
If approved, the scenic farmland would have been transformed into a 3 million square foot retail hub featuring shops, gas stations, 16 restaurants, a movie theater, ice-skating rink, three hotels, 300-loft style apartments, office space, a lighted golf course, retirement center, water park, equestrian center, private school and 9,078 parking spaces.
Obviously, the proposal never materialized due to the grim real estate market.
Historic significance
According to local historian Clark “Bud” Hall, the Gyory property has a historic significance.
Union cavalry, under the command of Major Gen. Joseph Hooker crossed the Rappahannock River on June 9, 1863 and attacked Major Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry and several Confederate brigades, beginning the Battle of Brandy Station, the largest cavalry battle of the Civil War and the inaugural action of the Gettysburg Campaign.
During the battle, Union cavalry raced across the Gyory property to the attack, only to be driven back by counter-attacking Confederate troops, according to Hall.
The cavalry battle lasted all day, with 21 separate engagements centering on both sides’ attempts to obtain and hold artillery positions at Fleetwood Hill.
“Although the Federal forces finally withdrew, having never achieved their primary goal, the Union cavalry gained valuable experience and confidence, which would later be used to good advantage against the Confederate Army,” Hall added.
The Gyory property also served as the winter camp of the Army of the Potomac’s Sixth Corps in December 1863, providing space for 20,000 men as well as the location of the “beef depot” set up to feed the entire 120,000 army.
Today, the property contains a modern dwelling, a historic livestock barn, corn crib, and other agricultural outbuildings.
“Protection of the Gyroy property will not only serve to preserve a portion of the battlefield, it will also protect open space and view shed, allowing the visitor to experience sights similar to those experienced by soldiers during the battle,” said Hall.
“The easement also will help preserve the rural, agricultural character and use of this portion of Culpeper County, assist in protecting water quality, and protect the archaeological potential of the property as a whole,” Hall continued. “It will open opportunities for cooperative interpretation and tourism activities with other preservation organizations.”
The Gyory property is located near Fleetwood Heights, Louis Pound and Whitney Pound tracts, most of which is under historic preservation and open space easements, according to Hall.
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