With the construction of the county courthouse in 1822, Brentsville became the county seat. Long before, it was the crossroads of Indian trade paths and roads from the Potomac to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It remained the county seat until 1892, when it was moved to Manassas. Brentsville was occupied by both Confederate and Union soldiers throughout the Civil War. In 1974, the County Park Authority acquired the courthouse and established an 18-acre Historical Recreation Area.
Excavations are currently underway.
Dumfries , the largest town in Prince William County, was chartered in 1749. It is named for a town in Scotland from where a locally prominent merchant hailed. Today, Dumfries is known as the oldest continually chartered town in Virginia. It is home to the Weems-Botts Museum and is the keeper of much of our Nation's early history. In 1852, the Manassas Gap Railroad reached the area and the stop became Gainesville.