Fun Facts About Historic Clifton
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Fun Facts About Historic Clifton

* During the Civil War, Clifton was known as Devereux Station.

* In 1868, it was called Clifton Station.

* By charter from the General Assembly, on March 10, 1902, Clifton Station officially became a town.

* Established in 1871, the Clifton Primitive Baptist Church was Fairfax County's first black church.

* Susan Riviere Hetzel, one of the original founders of the Daughters of the American Revolution, lived in Clifton.

* Presidents Garfield, Grant and Hayes visited the Clifton Hotel (now The Hermitage Inn restaurant).

* In 1905, Clifton became Fairfax County's first municipality with electricity.

* The county's first high school opened in Clifton in 1909.

* The opening scene of the movie, "Broadcast News," was shot in Clifton.

* Jeff Arch wrote the screenplay for the movie, "Sleepless in Seattle," in his Clifton home. When he later moved to California, he left a message for the new homeowners, saying, "There's water in the basement, but magic in the walls."

* Oscar Woody, postal clerk of the White Star Lines, which launched the Titanic, went down with the Titanic in 1910.

* Clifton's Heart in Hand was one of former First Lady Nancy Reagan's favorite restaurants.

* Clifton was the summer home of legendary actress Helen Hayes.

* In 2002, the residents gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Clifton's incorporation as a town.