A 67-year-old community directory lists long-forgotten local businesses
A 1955 directory published by the Broyhill Crest Citizens Association reveals some of the businesses that existed in Annandale when the area’s farmland was rapidly transforming into suburban subdivisions.
The directory was part of a historical display at Broyhill Crest’s 70th-anniversary celebration July 4 at the community’s pool.
The first homes in Broyhill Crest were built in 1952 by M.T. Broyhill and Sons Corp. The community has subsequently grown to encompass over 1,500 houses.
Related story: Broyhill Crest celebrates 70th anniversary
The 1955 directory list about 500 households. Phone numbers begin with JE for Jefferson. It also has a list of babysitters, other helpful information, and what’s most interesting to us, classified ads for these businesses:
Annandale Animal Hospital, location not listed.
Annandale Beauty Salon, “the finest in beauty care for the discriminating woman,” location not listed.
Annandale Dry Cleaners, Columbia Pike, opposite Annandale School.
Annandale Florist, location not listed.
Annandale Grill, “treat your family to our home cooked food,” location not listed.
Annandale Pet Supply Inc., “pets for gifts, gifts for pets,” in the heart of Annandale.
Annandale Pharmacy, “may we serve you?” location not listed.
Annandale Supply Co., Annandale.
Annandale Television Service, Route 236, Annandale.
Annandale Variety Shop, location not listed.
Arrington Cleaners, location not listed.
Bergen’s Men’s Shop, Annandale.
Bill’s Cafe, “ABC off & on,” Columbia Pike, Annandale.
Culmore Delicatessen & Restaurant, “full line of imported and domestic delicacies,” 508 Leesburg Pike.
Culmore Juvenile Center, 502 Leesburg Pike.
Ellicotts 5 & 10¢ Store, Annandale.
First National Bank of Arlington, 249 N. Glebe Road.
Galanis Service Station, Columbia Pike near Gallows Road.
Hillwood Motor Court, Routes 50 and 7, Seven Corners.
Iva Trice Dress Shop, Post Office block.
John R. O’Brien & Associates Inc., 1023 20th St. N.W.
Lord Fairfax Service, Annandale.
McCormick Jewelers, Annandale.
McNamara’s Clothing Store, Columbia Pike across from Safeway.
Mettauer’s Texaco, Annandale.
Mrs. Sugarman’s Kindergarten & Nursery School, 1504 Oliver Lane.
Nay’s Garage, Annandale.
Old Dominion Cleaners, Columbia Pike, Annandale.
Roadside Market, “groceries, meats, ice, ice cream,” Columbia Pike.
Roberts Inc. Esso Service, Annandale.
Russell’s Furniture, location not listed.
The Star Supply Co., “one million building items,” location not listed.
Swannee-Lee Antiques, “carefully chosen early pine and cherry furniture; copper, brass, China, glass,” Little River Turnpike.
Taylor’s Appliances, end of Columbia Pike, Annandale.
Taylor’s Insurance Agency, Annandale.
Turnpike Press, Little River Turnpike, opposite Star Supply.
Wanner’s Amoco, Route 236, Annandale.
Wes’s Tavern, “home cooked foods,” Route 236 West.
Wilson Farms Meat Market, Columbia Pike and Route 236 meet, Annandale.
Wissinger Chevrolet Co., Seven Corners.
None of these businesses are still here.
But where did people get their vape pens and title loans?
Nays garage was owned and operated by my great-uncle Bob Nay. It was located on 236 across from the Hirst house.
Wes’s tavern was located were Andy’s Pizza followed later.
I lived next door to Mr. and Mrs. Nay.
Galanis Service Station was located where the EVco Charging Station is now.
ACME grocery store was located where ALDI is now.
Star Supply Co was located where Manoa Bakery and Chicken Pollo are now.
TOPS Drive-In (late 50’s early 60’s) was located where Burger King is now on Columbia Pike
Annandale Florist was located at the corner of Maple Place and Columbia Pike.
Roadside Market was across from Annandale Florist on the opposite corner.
My family moved into Broyhill Crest in 1952.
Great memories.
Roadside Market is now the Jiffy Lube. ACME grocery store was located in the building that is now Goodwill on John Marr. Iva Trice’s dress shop was on Annandale Road, at the end of the chain of stores which now houses the Annandale watch and jewelry repair shop — at the other end is a vacuum repair shop. In the middle of the stores was a drug store/pharmacy.
My dad bought a Packard from Wissinger’s in 1947 for $3,465. He still has the receipt!
Woops, looking again at the invoice and it was a ‘59 Parkwood Wagon
I went to Mrs Sugarman’s kindergarten 60 years ago!