The town of Herndon is situated on the western edge of Virginia's picturesque Fairfax County. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, this part of Fairfax County was primarily agricultural, and as additional settlers arrived farming flourished. Early residents found woods, flat open fields, outcroppings of rocks, and workable soil throughout the region. By 1857, the installation of the railroad line brought summer residents, commuters, and real estate developers to the area. Residential growth continued into the 20th century, as more Washington, D.C. workers chose Herndon as a convenient town from which they could commute to their jobs. From 1959 to 1961, the railroad line experienced busy years when it was used to haul sand and construction materials to build neighboring Dulles Airport, which opened in 1962. Although the region has become a center of Internet technology, with several high tech companies located in the area, Herndon still retains a small-town charm.