Cooktown
Title
Cooktown
Date
Probably 3rd quarter 19th century
Description
In 1968, Cooktown was still home to an estimated 15-20 families. Among the 15 dwellings there was one with a septic tank and indoor plumbing. There was no gas, water or sewer service. There were seven homes with electricity, four with telephones.
The name apparently dates to post-Civil War years when Henry Cook settled with his family in the area. The elder residents thought of it as their home place.
The name apparently dates to post-Civil War years when Henry Cook settled with his family in the area. The elder residents thought of it as their home place.
Creator
Frederick Cook
Source
“Cooktown: The Way it Has Been”, by Jared Stout, in Restonian – A New Magazine of New Ways to Live, Vol. 1. No. 2 November 1968 Repository: 975.529 R FCPL Virginia Room
“Segregation in Herndon- Cooktown” https://patch.com/virginia/herndon/segregation-in-herndoncooktown Oct. 2, 2011 Article by Chuck Mauro
Mapcarta.com Cooktown https://patch.com/virginia/herndon/segregation-in-herndoncooktown"
District
Dranesville
Location
Cooktown, no longer in existence, was located at the north end of Monroe Street
Additional Notes
In the early 1980s, the Cooktown community was developed into Herndon Heights, a residential neighborhood of single-family houses
Collection
Citation
Frederick Cook, “Cooktown,” Fairfax County African American History Inventory, accessed October 24, 2026, https://fairfaxaahi.centerformasonslegacies.com/items/show/80.