Gar-Field High School, located on Smoketown Road, was originally established near Cardinal Drive and Route 1 on land donated in 1949 by Martin Gilmer Garber and Grover P. Manderfield.
According to Circuit Court records, approximately 20 acres of land near Neabsco Creek that had once been part of “Round Top Farm” was donated to Prince William County’s School Board. The gift stipulated that this land would be used for building a public school for white children which opened to students on December 8, 1953. The building remained an active school until it was moved to its current location in 1972.Martin Gilmer Garber was born in Augusta County, Virginia on August 15, 1896. The Garber Family was involved in farming and Garber was no exception, spending most of his life working on his family’s farm. He owned the land that was donated for the school as well as the Elm Farm Trailer Park in Woodbridge. He was a member of the Woodbridge Elks, Dale City Moose Lodge, and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. On July 5, 1969, Garber passed away at the age of 63.
Grover P. Manderfield was born in Houghton, Michigan on May 29, 1901. He left Michigan in his teenage years when he began his career with the Rust Engineering Company, where he worked for almost 50 years.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Recent Stories

Triune Entertainment has announced its exciting 2025–26 season, showcasing beloved classics like Annie and The Prince of Egypt, the autobiographical Tick, Tick… Boom!, and a brand-new original musical, Into the Sun. Performances will take place at the Journey Stage in Warrenton, VA, starting in November 2025, promising a dynamic season of heartfelt storytelling and spectacular productions.

Empower Your Future: Leadership, Mentorship, Education, and Networking — Calling middle and high school students for FREE Educational Summer Programming!
LLT STEMpower Camp at Marymount University
Middle School Students | Two Sessions:
July 7–11, 2025
Inspired by local physicians who were among the nation’s first to adopt the concierge medicine model, Northern Virginia is now a hub for its surging popularity. These leading physicians are redefining the patient experience with same-day appointments, direct availability, unhurried visits, and deeply personalized care:
After almost 40 years in practice, Manassas-based Internist John Cary, MD’s change to concierge medicine enabled focused attention for each individual, and the launch of his innovative diet program for those with type 2 diabetes. “The goal is to promote enough weight loss to reach an acceptable A1C of 6% with no medication,” he explains. “Achieving that can take several months of very close follow up. As I tell my patients, we are in this together.”
Jay Tyroler, MD considers his patients quite literally as family. “I believe there’s nothing more honorable than helping patients when they’re sick, or scared, or feeling vulnerable, and I care for them exactly as I would my loved ones.” Whether for a specialist referral, urgent health issue or ongoing follow up, “My patients know I’m always just a phone call away.”
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has