The information provided in this  history is derived from several sources, including newspaper clippings, historical documents and other published material.  A major source of information was a document called "Lake Jackson 1927 - 2001"  by  Walter and Ruth Alpaugh .  A copy of this  document can be purchased by contacting  the Alpaughs at  owlpaw@aol.com.  Any corrections or additions to this history would be greatly appreciated.  Please email the webmaster@lakejacksonva.com.

Prior to 1927,  the area  that is now known as Lake Jackson was  800 acres of farm and timberland  lying just west of  Bland's Ford, the site of a Civil War era bridge crossing the Occoquan creek.  The area was primarily  known for its  marginally useful farmland, yellow pine timber and its  unfriendly receptions for strangers  who might stumble on one of the many moonshine stills  in the area.

In 1927 Charles W. Alpaugh , a New Jersey developer and hydrologist,  came to Manassas looking for a place to build a small  hydroelectric dam and a summer colony for Washington D.C. residents.   He purchased the 800 acres from eight different farmers  and hired local laborers to clear the lake bed and build the 300 foot long, 25 foot high dam  over a two year period.  Once the basic dam was completed,  Mr. Alpaugh decided to focus on  the development of  the summer community, and  sold the rights  to generate electricity to Virginia Public Service (now  Virginia Electric and Power  Company).   It was  VEPCO that covered the dam with a cement spillway, built the brick powerhouse and  installed a tainter gate to control the level of the lake.  The dam was used to generate power until the mid-fiftys.  It is now owned and operated by the Prince William County Department of Public Works, and is used  for flood control of  the Occoquan river. 

In 1932 Mr. Alpaugh formed  Lake Jackson Hills Incorporated to market and sell lots  at the lake.  Purchase of a lot  gave the owner  full lake privileges  whether they built a cabin  or not.  Because of this, many buyers purchased a single  30 X 60 foot lot  for about $40.00, which is why today's homes typically sit on several  of the original  lots.  The original 30 log cabins  were constructed of saddle notched horizontal logs with cement  chinking, stone fireplaces and pine flooring.  Slightly later cabins  were "stockade" log cabins with the logs placed vertically.  By 1940, approximately 50 cabins had been constructed . 

In the 50's, prices for lots with running water and electricity were up to $495.00 , or you could have a  wood frame ranch style cabin built on a lot for $3900.00.  Today, there are about  600 houses  around the lake, ranging in style from the original log cabins to new, modern constructions costing between $150,000 and $500,00.   Many of the current homes have been substantially remodeled and expanded over the years, and still contain sections of the original log cabins.  The minimum size for a buildable lot is one acre (about 24 of the original lots) .