Lake Jackson

When the sun shines in summer, see water skiers dancing across the lake and spot Great Blue Herons as they soar above the water’s surface. Once an area with rich farmland, Lake Jackson is now home to over 3,500 people. Despite the neighborhood’s growth, nothing can tamper with the tranquil atmosphere maintained in the neighborhood for nearly a century.

Though just 40 miles outside Washington, log cabins originally lined and defined Lake Jackson. While some cabins remain throughout the eastern part of the neighborhood, styles now vary depending on the year of construction. The farther you venture from the shoreline, the more variance you might notice in the architecture. Find styles like split level, contemporary, colonial and ranch, with some homes constructed in recent years and others as far back as 1930—right after the dam’s completion across Occoquan Creek. No matter the location, natural views are a guarantee. “Landscape in some areas is so nice, just gorgeous,” explains Shalawn Hildreth of eXp Realty. Two-bedroom homes cost between $285,000 and $350,000, while three-bedroom homes range from $405,000 to $725,000, with price dependent on the size of the lot and home. For homes with four or more bedrooms, prices can reach up to $1,285,000.

For school, students begin at Bennett Elementary. Part of Prince William County Public Schools, an A-minus rated district according to Niche, Bennett includes unique extracurricular activities like the Bennett Bears Broadcast, Kindness Club and Military Kids Club. For middle school, students attend Parkside before moving on to Osbourn Park High School, which boasts an A rating from Niche and ranks among the most diverse schools in Virginia at No. 20.

Learning doesn’t end at school when you live in Lake Jackson. Because of the Civil War’s presence in the area, historic landmarks are part of everyday life in Manassas and Bristow. Once a Native American camp and eventually used by Union soldiers in the 1860s, Cannon Branch Fort now provides a scenic park space with over 17 acres of woodlands to wander through. Read about the park’s significance in American history as you walk along its short, paved paths and listen to the songs of the winter sparrows. For more challenging terrain and a lengthier adventure, begin at the Occoquan Blueway Trailhead and wander along the water’s edge for up to 40 miles. If you like to kayak, utilize the launch site at the same location and paddle from Occoquan Creek to the reservoir.

Although picturesque landscapes are a highlight in the area, other notable views are nearby. Flanked by the Manassas Regional Airport along its northwestern edge, the neighborhood provides a relaxing place for plane spotting. Watch from your front porch or visit the observation area at the airport for a closer look. The observation area includes picnic tables and a miniature plane for children to sit in. To gaze at a mysterious house, drive down Purse Drive to peer at the Alvictus home, its ornate entryway and vastness hard to miss. While the home and its accompanying amenities are now used for residential purposes, the original owners utilized it as a hub for lavish parties, visits from political figures and, it is rumored, harboring spies in the 1960s and 1970s.

Less than 10 miles from the shores of Lake Jackson and less than 3 miles from the Manassas Regional Airport is The Black Sheep Restaurant. Operated within a historic dairy barn, the restaurant’s rustic ambiance complements its menu. Order fried green tomatoes for an appetizer and wild mushroom ravioli for your main course, all made with farm-fresh ingredients from local sources. To gather ingredients and cook at home, swing by the Aldi, located along the retail corridor of Liberia Avenue, less than 4 miles north of the Lake Jackson Volunteer Fire Department.

If commuting to work, hop on Interstate 66 to reach Springfield, Falls Church, Arlington, or Washington. For a longer ride but a laid-back journey, take the Manassas train line into the city and ride a handful of stops to Union Station or L’Enfant. For a slice of serenity only a drive from Washington, settle down in Lake Jackson.

Written By

Alicia Swain

Photography Contributed By

Tyson Le

Video By

Becky Gaskill