Editing Falls Church, Virginia (section)

== Etymology ==

[[File:Falls church virginia 1878.jpg|thumb|Map of Falls Church in 1878]]

The [[independent city]] of Falls Church is named for the 1734 [[Church of England]] (later [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]]) church building named [[the Falls Church]] founded at the intersection of important [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] trails that were later paved and named Broad Street, Lee Highway and Little Falls Street.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fallschurchva.gov/758/About-Falls-Church |title=About Falls Church |publisher=Fallschurchva.gov |access-date=May 14, 2012}}</ref> The church’s name was derived from its proximity to the Little Falls of the [[Potomac River]], a set of rapids located several miles to the northeast. These "falls" were a well-known landmark to early colonists and surveyors in the [[18th century]], and the church became associated with them despite being some distance inland.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fallschurchva.gov/1585/About-History|title=About and History |publisher=Fallschurchva.gov |access-date=May 5, 2025}}</ref>

Over time, the community surrounding The Falls Church came to be identified simply as “Falls Church,” and the name persisted as civic and administrative structures developed. When the area was incorporated as an [[independent city]] in 1948, the name was officially retained, reflecting both the continuity of local identity and the long-standing influence of the church. Notably, Falls Church is one of only a few [[United States]] cities whose name originates from a specific house of worship and one that still exists and functions today highlighting the lasting symbolic and historical significance of the original [[18th century|18th-century]] structure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thefallschurch.org/earlyhistory|title=Early History|publisher=TheFallsChurch:An Episcopal Congregation|access-date=May 6, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Fairfax County Map.png|thumb|Map of Falls Church , VA / Fairfax County]]

Despite being an [[independent city]] ,  the broader “Falls Church” area commonly includes nearby communities such as [[Seven Corners, Virginia|Seven Corners]], [[Pimmit Hills, Virginia|Pimmit Hills]], [[West Falls Church, Virginia|West Falls Church]], and [[Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia|Baileys Crossroads]] which lie outside the city’s official boundaries in unincorporated [[Fairfax County, Virginia|Fairfax County]]. These areas use Falls Church mailing addresses and share [[ZIP Code|ZIP codes]] like 22042, 22043, and 22044, despite being governed separately.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unitedstateszipcodes.org/|title=Falls Church (Zip Code Boundaries)|publisher=UnitedStatesZipCodes.org|access-date=May 6, 2025}}</ref> This shared address also comes with development and transportation networks that are integrated with the city of Falls Church.  The proximity to key transit routes like [[Interstate 66]], Route 50, and [[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|Metro’s Orange and Silver Lines]] highlight the regions importance in terms of regional impact since its origins<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/west-falls-church.cfm|title=West Falls Church (Station)|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority |access-date=May 6, 2025}}</ref>