Tag: history
Luther Jackson Middle School celebrates its 70th anniversary
Luther Jackson High School opened in 1955 as Fairfax County’s first high school for Blacks. Ten years later it was converted to an integrated middle school.
New name proposed for Wilson Library
The Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees is considering changing the name of the Woodrow Wilson Library in Bailey’s Crossroads. The Library Board “has received significant community input” calling for renaming the library, said Brian Engler, board chair and trustee representing the Braddock District. A segregationist president “Over the past few board meetings, residents … Continued
Public input sought on renaming the Bailey’s Community Center
Last month, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to begin the process to rename the Bailey’s Community Center for Minnie Peyton, the matriarch of the Black community of Springdale. The county is now asking the public to consider three options: You can vote online for one of those names through July 11. A public … Continued
Annandale church commemorates Juneteenth
Members of Little River United Church of Christ in Annandale observed Juneteenth on June 19 with a demonstration on Little River Turnpike. Drivers passing by honked as they saw people’s signs with such messages as “Black History is American History,” “Black Lives Matter,” and “Honk for Juneteenth.” Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people. President … Continued
BoS considers renaming the Bailey’s Community Center for Minnie Peyton
The Board of Supervisors passed a motion on renaming the Bailey’s Community Center for Minnie Peyton, a former leader of the Black neighborhood of Springdale. Peyton (1889-1985) had donated the land for a school in Bailey’s Crossroads before Virginia’s schools were integrated. Related story: A local Black community honors its history The Lillian Carey Elementary … Continued
The dislocation of Little Saigon offers lessons for preserving the Eden Center
Clarendon was once known as Little Saigon due to the many Vietnamese refugees who opened small businesses in the area in the 1970s. But when Arlington County began efforts to promote redevelopment, those small business owners were forced out. The Viet Place Collective believes that understanding what happened in Clarendon is critical to ensuring that … Continued
Ilda was a mixed-race community on Little River Turnpike
Driving along Little River Turnpike at the western edge of Annandale – with houses on one side and shops and restaurants on the other – there is little evidence that there was once a small, mixed-race community here called Ilda. All that remains of Ilda is a historic marker and the name of the Ilda … Continued
Bailey’s Crossroads office building played a key role in the Cold War
A soon-to-be-demolished office building in Bailey’s Crossroads once housed a company that played an important played a role in the Cold War. The two-story cinderblock building at 5623 Leesburg Pike has a glass facade with red, yellow, and blue stripes. It is being torn down to facilitate a second drive-through lane and an expanded parking … Continued
Explore a park: Monch Farm Park
This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The last piece in the series explored Deerlick Park. Monch Farm Park, at 6570 Edsall Road in the Alexandria area of Mason District, consists of a former farmstead that has evolved into a 10-acre meadow. There is a trail around the perimeter, … Continued
School board to consider renaming Woodson HS for Carter Woodson
The Fairfax County School Board approved a “forum request” on Sept. 14 to begin the process of renaming W.T. Woodson High School. When the school opened in 1962, it was named for Wilbert Tucker (W.T.) Woodson, who served as Fairfax County Superintendent from 1929 to 1961. Community members have advocated for changing the school’s name … Continued
Annandale ‘comfort woman’ statue is gone
The Statue of Peace in Annandale honoring the Korean “comfort women” has been removed. The statue was installed in front of an office building at 7601 Little River Turnpike in Annandale in October 2019 by the Washington Coalition for Comfort Women Issues (WCCW). The statue reminds the public of the sacrifices of the thousands of … Continued
A local Black community honors its history
More than a hundred current and former residents of Springdale came to the first-anniversary celebration of the Black American Registry of Bailey’s Crossroads to honor the people who made lasting contributions to the community. The event, in the Bailey’s Community Center on July 15, featured an awards ceremony, photo displays, and an opportunity for people … Continued
A Bailey’s Xroads resident is documenting the history of a vibrant Black community
The Springdale neighborhood in Bailey’s Crossroads has long been the center of a flourishing Black community. But now, the history of that community is in danger of being lost as younger generations have moved out, McMansions replaced many of the smaller houses, and new developments are encroaching on the neighborhood. Springdale is centered around Lacy … Continued
Explore a park: Howrey Field Park
This article is part of our Explore a Park series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The most recent article in this series covered Annandale Community Park. Previous articles are listed on the Parks page. Howrey Field Park, a small park in Annandale has just four athletic fields and a memorial in recognition of a tragic … Continued
Fairfax County honors local heroes during Black History Month
Fairfax County honors local heroes of the African American community during Black History Month. A commemorative banner in honor of Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson is on display at the Providence Rec Center, and six new historic markers relating to Black history have been approved for installation around the county. Henderson (1883-1977), led the fight against … Continued