Manassas, VA

Manassas, VA has been an independent city since being incorporated in 1975 and holds the distinction of being last town in the Commonwealth of Virginia to gain city status. A vibrant and growing city, Manassas, VA is located just 35 miles southwest of Washington, DC with access to major markets by way of roadways, air and rail.

The city is steeped in Civil War history and lays amidst rolling hills and forests that provide residents with a rustic and congenial atmosphere. This combination of suburban and rural qualities makes Manassas an ideal place to live, and buying a home in this historic area is becoming more and more popular. With excellent public schools and increasing property values, Manassas homes for sale offer viable options for people looking to relocate.

A Historic Look

In 1861, the First Battle of Manassas, better known as the First Battle of Bull Run, and the first major land battle of the American Civil War, was fought near here. Then the Second Battle of Bull Run was fought nearby the following year. At that time, Manassas Junction, as the town was known then, was barely more than a railroad crossing, however a strategic one, with runs to Richmond, Washington, DC and the Shenandoah Valley. Despite these two Confederate victories at these battles, Manassas Junction remained in Union hands for most of the war.

Manassas replaced Brentsville as the county seat of Prince William County in 1873. After becoming an independent city in 1975, Manassas's development has been strongly influenced by being a suburb of Washington, DC.

Things to Do

The Manassas Museum and Recreation and Parks Department offer many activities for people of all ages. The area offers The Freedom Aquatics and Fitness Center, which is one of the largest fitness and wellness centers on the east coast. The Loy E. Harris Pavilion offers summer evenings of dancing, concerts and ice cream socials. In the late fall and winter months, the pavilion becomes an outdoor ice skating rink and offers lessons to those at all skill levels.

Also offered in the area are two golf courses of note, the Prince William Golf Club and The General’s Ridge Golf Course. The Prince William provides a challenging layout with affordable pricing for golfers of all abilities. The General’s Ridge is an 18-hole, par 72 course that is set amid a copse of native hardwoods. The fairways are lined with oaks, beech and poplar to provide a natural golfing experience. Complimenting the course is a full-service clubhouse with restaurant.

And for the young, or young-at-heart, you can have all the fun of a day at the beach without the drive when you visit the Splashdown Water Park which features 13 acres with five different water areas and serves all sorts of favorite summer foods at the Coney Island Café.

Education

The City of Manassas is one of only five public school systems in the Commonwealth of Virginia to receive full accreditation by the state. The City school system has five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The average class size in the City of Manassas Public School System ranges from 20 students per teacher in elementary school to 23 in high school. The City’s dropout rate of 1 percent puts its graduation rate at nearly 100 percent, with eighty-one percent of the high school students continuing on to higher levels of education.

As you can see, Manassas, VA has many great things to offer its residents, including a unique combination of suburban and rural qualities which makes any of the Manassas homes for sale an ideal option for your family.