Historically, SR 620 was known as Braddock Road. The road has historical significance in the
American Civil War, and portions of the road were established prior to British colonization of northern Virginia. Although the original Braddock Road was unified throughout its length, many portions of the original road have been transected, relocated or disjointed since the original path was defined (especially since the modern paved road system was constructed).
Establishment, including pre-colonization era Braddock Road was originally composed of paths established by the
Native American inhabitants of Northern Virginia. Later, British colonialists and Virginian governments developed and improved the paths into what became known as "Braddock's Road."
Colonial and revolutionary era Price's Common, a market that operated during the colonial administration and was the site of the drafting of the
Virginia Declaration of Rights signed by
George Mason (and after which the
Bill of Rights of the
United States Constitution was modeled), was located by the intersection of Braddock Road and
Backlick Road. Braddock Rd is so named as it was believed to be the route of the English General
Edward Braddock's force during the French and Indian War. At the outset of the
Braddock Expedition, the force was split into two groups. Braddock led the first group across the Potomac near Rock Creek and up to Frederick and Sir Peter Halkett led a second group through
Northern Virginia. Halkett's group marched past the Old Fairfax County courthouse (today
Tysons Corner) and up to Coleman's Ordinary (today Northern
Herndon, Virginia). It is unlikely that today's Braddock Road was the actual route taken by Halkett's group. Rather, they roughly followed the route of present-day
Leesburg Pike (Route 7).
Civil War During the American Civil War, both Union and
Confederate troops traversed Braddock Road during various battles in Fairfax County and other parts of Northern Virginia. One of
Mosby's Raiders,
Robert Spindle, was a native of Centreville. Later, the part of SR 620 that was formed when
Braddock Road was cut at
US 29 was named after him,
Spindle Court.
Modern era With the advent of the modern road system, Braddock Road changed. In the 1930s after the Virginia Secondary Road system was created Braddock Road in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties was given the designation SR 620. In the 1960s I-66 was built coming through Centreville. At this point the section of SR 620 between SR28 south of I-66 and a point north of the new I-66 was deleted, and a new SR 620 entrance was created intersecting with SR 28 north of I-66. When SR 28 was widened from a 4-lane highway to a 6-lane one In the 1990s New Braddock Road was constructed linking Union Mill Road to SR 28. This is when SR 620 was cut, so that, on the east side of Union Mill Road, the road is Braddock Road, and on the west side it is New Braddock Road. Braddock Road heading west now intersects with Union Mill Road one block to the north. Ultimately, one left turn lane in each direction of SR 123 was added at the intersection, the left turn lane on eastbound SR 620 was extended, and new traffic signals were installed. ==Major intersections==