railroad service, both steam
and electric, that made both of these developments possible at this
time. The critical importance of this transportation was recognized by
the County Supervisors' publication:

The eastern part of the county is in the immediate vicinity of the
cities of Washington and Alexandria; while all sections of it are
within a few hours' drive of these cities. In addition to the
accessibility of these cities by roadways, three steam and three
electric railways connect the county with Washington. The greatest
trunk lines north and south traverse Fairfax County. Through
trains on the Pennsylvania, Southern, Chesapeake and Ohio, Norfolk
and Western, Seaboard Air Line, and the Atlantic Coast Line, are
hourly passing through this county, affording convenient and
direct connection with all parts of the country. Every section of
the county is within easy reach of some one of these roads; and
with their double track facilities, and consequent excellent local
accommodations, great activity in suburban home building is
observed on every hand. Especially is this true along the lines of
the electric railways, where numerous villages are springing into
existence.

The proximity and accessibility to Washington, the most
magnificent city in the world, together with the splendid natural
advantages of Fairfax, must inevitably make the county rich,
populous and great.[115]

The heydays of the steam and electric railroads in Northern Virginia
were followed in the 1920's by improvement and expansion of the road
system.[116] As the number of automobiles increased--and their
prevalence was forecast by designation of present Lee Highway as the
initial segment of the first transcontinental highway running westward
from the zero milestone on the ellipse in Washington--the paving of
roads became a major concern of local communities. Both free public
highways and toll turnpikes built by subscription and bond issues were
undertaken in Fairfax County. Even after the County elected to turn
over its roadbuilding to the state under the Byrd Road Act in 1932,
the County's leaders continued to have a deep interest in the
increased population growth that roads and railroads made possible.

Increased population brought increased needs for various new public
services. Shortly after the first State Board of Health was
established in Virginia in 1900, the