Gum Springs, Virginia

Gum Springs is a community in Fairfax County in Hybla Valley along Route 1 (Richmond Highway).

[4] In 1833, Gum Springs was founded by West Ford, a freed slave, skilled carpenter, and manager on George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon.

By 1866, Ford was the second richest free black farmer in Fairfax County, Virginia.

This endeavor helped create a safe place for African Americans to obtain land.

All land was collaboratively bought, sold and subdivided at cost to other African Americans at a price of $30 an acre.