Alexandria Heritage Trail

In 1850 workmen began to clear a line through Bush Hill for the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. Richard William Scott described the first passage of the train in his Day Book, July 4, 1851: “We witnessed for the first time today, a train carrying about 600 people going on an excursion on the road to Backlick, a distance of 11 miles from Alexandria and the present termination of the rails—as seen from the north windows (6 in number) passing through our meadow with their gay passengers, presented a very pretty sight and to me one of great interest.”

During World War II the federal government leased Bush Hill from the Gunnell family for use in the internment of Adolf Hitler’s counselor of foreign affairs, Ernst “Putzi” Hanfstaengl, who was assisting the Allies. Putzi was considered one of the only men who could detect whether or not German broadcasts of Hitler were authentic or done by stand-ins. Virginia Room, Fairfax County Library

After World War II, Bush Hill served as the “Holly Hill School” until March 6, 1977, when it was vandalized and then abandoned. The house was destroyed by arson one week later. Washington Post, March 17, 1977

38° 48.187′ N, 77° 7.155′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. Marker is on Eisenhower Avenue 0.8 miles east of Metro Road, on the right when traveling east.