Timeline of Great Falls, Virginia

The following is a timeline of the history of the census-designated place (CDP) of Great Falls, Virginia, USA.

Prior to 20th century

 * c. 1400 - Land inhabited by indigenous peoples, likely the Doeg people.
 * 1608 - Expedition of region by Captain John Smith.
 * c. 1700s - Colonial farm settlements begin to form in the Great Falls area.
 * c. 1750s - Area surveyed by George Washington
 * 1785 - The Patowmack Canal, which George Washington partially funded, began operating to give small barges the opportunity to skirt around the falls and to distribute manufactured goods and raw materials.
 * c. 1800s - Area was unofficially referred to as the village of Forestville, with two churches, a grist mill and sawmill, a general store, and a two-room schoolhouse.
 * 1861 - Battle of Dranesville Civil War skirmish occurred on December 20, 1861.
 * 1878 - Great Falls Post Office opens.

20th century

 * 1902 - John Roll McLean, Stephen Benton Elkins and Jean-Pierre Guenard purchase a charter for the Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad.
 * 1906 - Railroad completed, connecting the Great Falls area with Washington, D.C.
 * 1909 - Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad extends to Great Falls Park.
 * 1920 - Great Falls Grange established.
 * 1942 - Community fire department is formed.
 * 1945 - Community members begin referring to the Forestville area as "Great Falls" and encourage the name change.
 * 1955 - Area formally renamed Great Falls in local organizations and offices, including the Fire Department.
 * 1959 - On November 15, 1959, the second Great Falls Post Office opens in theold Forestville School House, which is preserved on the Grange grounds.
 * 1966 - Great Falls Park is established by the National Park Service.
 * 1990 - Population: 6,945

21st century

 * 2000 - Population: 8,549
 * 2010 - Population: 15,427
 * 2020 - Population: 14,872
 * 2022 - Great Falls included in Veranda magazine's list of wealthiest cities in the United States.