Rosslyn is an urban village in Arlington County Virgina. It's at the epicenter of the world, located just across the Potomac within eye-shot of just about every recognizable structure in Washington DC. Today Rosslyn is the location of the Rosslyn Metro, several high-rise communities, the Newseum and the Iwo Jima Memorial. But at one time it was a sleep village outside of Washington.
If you don't remember, that's okay. Most of us don't. This picture was taken in 1937.
Backyards. Rosslyn, Virginia 1937Rosslyn offers great views and beautiful landscapes in Arlington County, Virginia. The area sits in view of the Potomac River, Arlington Cemetery, and Washington, D.C. Rosslyn is also home to the United States Marine Corps War Memorial and Freedom Park.
The name Rosslyn came from a local farm behind the shore. The farm was known as Ross Lynn, owned by William and Carolyn Ross. In the 1860’s Rosslyn’s largest development was a large brewery. It was changed to the Cherry Crush Bottling Co. after prohibition. When electric trolleys were introduced the real estate business picked up.
Some of the more prominent businesses of Rosslyn include the “ABC” T.V. Affiliate, and the Art Institute of Washington. In the 1960’s Rosslyn had a development growth with the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge. This brought construction of high rise office buildings, hotels, and living spaces.
The Chain Bridge is a viaduct which crosses the Potomac River at Little Falls in Washington, D.C. It carries close to 22,000 cars a day. It connects Washington with affluent sections of Arlington and Fairfax counties in Virginia. In 1919, Chainbridge had a roadhouse on the Virginia side.
Chain Bridge, with the roadhouse on the Virginia side - 1919
During the era of Federal Urban Renewal programs, which threatened the demolition of the oldest parts of Alexandria, the Historic Alexandria Foundation initiated a program of marking early historic buildings with oval bronze plaques. Intense lobbying by the Foundation in conjunction with the Old Town Civic Association served to limit the advance of Urban Renewal destruction in the 1960s to three blocks along King Street, and today historic homes and shops are being restored instead of demolished.
This program continues today, with additional structures judged on their merits for inclusion within the ranks of plaqued houses. If you think your house merits a bronze plaque, call the Historic Alexandria Foundation at 703-549-5811 or the Office of Historic Alexandria at 703-838-4554 to learn more about this program.
Old Town
homes and condos for sale in the Old Town area of Alexandria VA
About the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.
Julie Nesbitt
Julie Nesbitt knows the back trails and by-ways of Northern Virginia real estate.
Today the Penn Daw / Huntington area of Fairfax County off Rt. 1 is a bustling commercial district filled with big box stores and restaurants but that wasn't always the case.
1941.. Springbank was located where the Walmart is now at Penn Daw on Rt. 1.
Here's what Clarendon looked like in 1949
The Clarendon neighborhood in Arlington County is urban, upscale and sophisticated. Residents here enjoy Metro access, restaurants and shops. In 1949, as evidenced by the picture above, Clarendon was a sleepy small Virginia village. Below, you'll see what Clarendon looks like today.
Ravensworth is in Annandale just outside the Capital Beltway. The area is well-known for single-family homes with big lawns and lots. The area was largely developed in the 1960's and 1970's.
Entrance to Ravensworth Park subdivision in 1960
During the era of Federal Urban Renewal programs, which threatened the demolition of the oldest parts of Alexandria, the Historic Alexandria Foundation initiated a program of marking early historic buildings with oval bronze plaques. Intense lobbying by the Foundation in conjunction with the Old Town Civic Association served to limit the advance of Urban Renewal destruction in the 1960s to three blocks along King Street, and today historic homes and shops are being restored instead of demolished.
This program continues today, with additional structures judged on their merits for inclusion within the ranks of plaqued houses. If you think your house merits a bronze plaque, call the Historic Alexandria Foundation at 703-549-5811 or the Office of Historic Alexandria at 703-838-4554 to learn more about this program.
About the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.
