Unison

Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth

By Tim Jon

I remember feeling this way on several other occasions, as I’d prep myself to dive headlong into descriptive prose on the character of some particular (only partially-discovered, not to say unpopular) local gem; it may be its unique geography, architecture, historic significance, natural preservation, or even a jumble of indescribable intangibles (a tingle up the spine, a welling in the throat, a change in breathing patterns, or a significant pitter-patter in the old ticker) that seem to fill a hitherto void in the soul – to be found at this, and only this – set of terrestrial coordinates.

 I probably sampled a good-sized grab-bag of all these sensations as I took an early morning tour of the little (Minuscule, by most standards!) Village of Unison; my cross-country saga to get there – through fog-enshrouded, unimproved, little-more-than-one-lane roads had left me a bit breathless, and thankful for a chance to relax my eagle-talon grip on the steering wheel to finish my world-champion coffee.

And that was just it – this arduous journey: so much of the allure of the place – for me stemmed from its very inaccessibility; this tiny, historic community lies far off the beaten path of most of area commuters (it’s a bit of a jog on little, under-the-radar Foxcroft Road – from Unison – just to get to Route 611 – Saint Louis Road – where you’d run into anything like real traffic), but my pre-dawn run through the gauntlet was more than offset by the atmosphere found in a small gathering of peaceful, shaded, still, and utterly charming human habitations and other structures. 

In fact, the transportation corridors one would choose to arrive in Unison (out in southwestern Loudoun County… let’s see, do you know where Bloomfield is? No? Well, how ‘bout Willisville? I already mentioned Saint Louis… no, not Missouri – this is Northern Virginia. Mountville, Philomont, Airmont? OK, Unison is northwest of Middleburg – you’ve heard of that – the place with the horses, right? And it’s east of the famous Blue Ridge Mountains, but close enough to feel their mystique.) driving those roads, then, is sort of like following a nest of old cobwebs in an ancient barn.

But if the gentle reader ever gets sufficiently lost, out there, in order to find themselves in Unison, they will be amply rewarded by the prominent (and historic) Unison Store, perched in the center (geographically and emotionally speaking) of the community; the structure dates back to 1880, has enjoyed a storied timeline, and in recent years has undergone extensive renovation and preservation. The Store ceased operations as a retail business in the early 1990’s, and the Unison Preservation Society has used the facility – off and on – for selected special events.

Then, a bit further down the road, I came upon another timeless edifice – the local Methodist Church – which proudly displays a founding date of 1832 on the front lawn. The brick structure features a prominent bell-tower and stands as a familiar landmark for the Village. A great counterbalance to the Store.

And, what about the overall history of Unison? Well, let’s see: I believe Quaker settlers sort of gathered thereabouts and semi-tamed the acres of land in the early 1700’s; the spot served as a Civil War battleground in 1862, and the Village gained status – in 2003 – on the National Register of Historic Places.

And, yes, that leaves a lot of gaps for significant events; thankfully, far more meticulous writers have carefully left a plethora of details on the website for the aforementioned Preservation Society. Since my beloved dogs – with little or no training – can now search the Google engine on their own, I trust the interested reader can proceed at his, or her discretion.

So – after all this time, having survived the centuries of settlement, modest commercial industry, martial upheaval, a couple of name changes (originally called Butterland – or even Greenville –  and a later moniker of ‘Union’ took action by the General Assembly to finally, forevermore choose ‘Unison’ as a formal place name) and a quiet, twisting trail through recent decades, Unison represented for me – on the morning of my latest visit – a unique place in our much-varied (and increasingly – for many of us – hectic) Loudoun County – where I could relax long enough – in a sufficiently hushed setting – to listen to the mist fade into the sunrise.

And I have a strong feeling that the quiet little Village will remain much as I found it – long after I’ve joined my predecessors in local literary exploration. And, you know? It wouldn’t be a bad place to spend at least part of eternity – as long as ‘word’ doesn’t travel too far. Maybe I’ll see you there.