Occoquan, town in Virginia, United States
Occoquan is a small town in Prince William County, Virginia, located along the Occoquan River. The streets are lined with shops, cafes, and 19th-century buildings, many of which now serve as galleries, restaurants, and small retail stores.
Occoquan was founded in 1804, but the river had been an important site for the Doeg Indians and later European settlers for centuries, used for trade and transport. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was a busy port with mills and warehouses, with one mill built by Nathaniel Ellicott possibly being the nation's first automated grist mill.
The name Occoquan comes from an Algonquian Doeg Indian word meaning "at the end of the water". Today you see how the community keeps its arts tradition alive through galleries and small shops that display handmade crafts and local work throughout the historic streets.
The town is easily reached by car and sits about 20 miles from Washington, DC. Parking is available near shops and along the streets, and the small size makes it convenient to explore on foot.
A mill built by Quaker Nathaniel Ellicott was possibly one of the nation's first automated grist mills and operated for over a century before a fire destroyed it. This reveals how technological innovation took root in this small river town.
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