Town of Clifton

Clifton is an incorporated town in southwestern Fairfax County.

History
The foundations of Clifton were created during the Civil War, when the Union army took control the Orange & Alexandria Railroad for military purposes. It was the southernmost post for the Union in Virginia. In 1863, Herman Haupt, superintendent of Union military railroads, tasked Alexandria railroad superintendent John Devereux with creating a siding on the O&A R.R. Clifton was originally called Devereux Station, until a depot was constructed and opened for passengers in 1868, when the name was changed to Clifton Station. After the war, Devereux Station was purchased by Harrison Otis, who is credited as Clifton's original developer. The station was removed in 1958.

Clifton was incorporated into a town in 1902. In 1912, Clifton became the site of the first high school built in Fairfax County.