Manassas [key], town (1990 pop. 27,957), seat of Prince William co., N Va., in a farm area; inc. 1873, rechartered 1938. Manassas has become a growing residential town with retail shopping centers; its development has been spurred as the Washington, D.C., suburbs expand further into northern Virginia. There is a large computer memory chip plant, and Internet-related companies are based nearby. The Old Town district contains turn-of-the-century brick buildings. During the Civil War, Manassas was a key railroad junction, and the battles of Bull Run were fought nearby; the sites are locally marked. The town of Manassas Park (1990 pop. 6,734) is adjoining, and near both is the Manassas National Battlefield Park (see National Parks and Monuments, tablenational parks and monuments, table).
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