history

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
The pedestrian bridge over Wilson Blvd in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Police Looking for Missing Teen — “ACPD is seeking assistance locating 15-year-old Alejandro… Described as a Hispanic male, 5’8″ tall, 145 lbs with brown eyes and half yellow/half black curly hair. He has ear piercings, a nose piercing and wears a silver dog chain necklace.” [Twitter]

Another Missing Teen — “ACPD is seeking assistance locating 14-year-old Anderson… He is described as a Hispanic male, approx 5’7 tall and 130 lbs. Last seen wearing a black sweat shirt, gray pants and black sneakers. He is known to frequent Rocky Run Park and CVS (2121 15th St N).” [Twitter]

Go to Morning Notes Read more
News

Historic preservation survey targeting equity and inclusion nets mostly white, older respondents

By Jo DeVoe
Demolition of Rouse estate in Dominion Hills (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A recent survey of Arlingtonians found a majority say the county needs to be more aggressive about preserving historic buildings, monuments and resources from demolition.

Engagement in the survey, administered in 2021, was three times higher than engagement in a similar survey distributed two years ago, before the loss last year of two historic homes — the Febrey-Lothrop House and the Victorian Fellows-McGrath House — to make room for new housing.

Go to Historic preservation survey targeting equity and inclusion nets mostly white, older respondents Read more
Feature

Documentary project shows how Columbia Pike is a lens to Arlington’s diversity

By Matt Blitz
Images from the Columbia Pike Documentary Project (courtesy of Columbia Pike Documentary Project)

There are few people who know more about how Columbia Pike has changed in recent years than Lloyd Wolf, director of the Columbia Pike Documentary Project.

Since 2007, Wolf and a team of photographers, interviewers and community activists have spoken with hundreds of residents and taken thousands of pictures of South Arlington’s main thoroughfare.

Go to Documentary project shows how Columbia Pike is a lens to Arlington’s diversity Read more
Events

This month, go on a Clarendon treasure hunt to learn about female STEM pioneers

By Matt Blitz
Rosie Riveters' Women History Hunt 2022 (photo courtesy of Rosie Riveters)

This month, go on a treasure hunt through Clarendon to discover women’s history.

The local non-profit Rosie Riveters is hosting its second annual Women’s History Hunt, a GPS-enabled treasure hunt designed to teach kids about famed female pioneers in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Go to This month, go on a Clarendon treasure hunt to learn about female STEM pioneers Read more
News

Two women are on a quest to map every racially restrictive property deed in Arlington

By Jo DeVoe

A sociology professor at Marymount University and a former housing lawyer are poring over century-old property records to locate Arlington’s segregated neighborhoods.

It’s a time-consuming process, but the goal is to map Arlington’s “history of exclusion,” says professor Janine DeWitt.

Go to Two women are on a quest to map every racially restrictive property deed in Arlington Read more
Events

“Bootlegger’s Guide to the Parks” walking tours aim to distill Arlington Prohibition history

By Matt Blitz
“Bootlegger’s Guide to the Parks” is a county-sponsored walking tour focused on the era of Prohibition (image courtesy of Arlington Parks and Recreation)

A new series of county-sponsored walking tours will distill the history of Arlington’s bootleggers, rum runners, and whiskey raids during Prohibition.

The “Bootlegger’s Guide to the Parks” trains its focus on the era of Prohibition, a 13-year period when the manufacturing and sale of alcohol was illegal in the U.S. The walking tours begin at a county park before ending at a local brewery, bar, or distillery.

Go to “Bootlegger’s Guide to the Parks” walking tours aim to distill Arlington Prohibition history Read more
News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Men play basketball at Westover Park under the lights (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Prison for Convicted Drug Trafficker — “An Alexandria man was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for conspiracy, possession, and distribution of fentanyl and Eutylone, and being a felon in possession of a firearm during drug trafficking… Pills distributed by the conspiracy twice on December 20, 2020, contributed to the mixed drug overdose death of a 20-year-old female in Arlington, whose blood was later determined to contain fentanyl.” [Dept. of Justice, Twitter]

ACDC Lowering Participation Age — “Seventeen-year-olds would be able to participate in operation of the Arlington County Democratic Committee under proposed bylaw amendments. The change, part of a larger swath of amendments to be voted on in April, would allow those under 18 to participate in ACDC activities, including caucuses, if they would turn 18 before the next Election Day.” [Sun Gazette]

Go to Morning Notes Read more
News

Historical Society to homeowners: please don’t tear down your old house

By ARLnow.com
Demolition of Rouse estate in Dominion Hills (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Arlington Historical Society is trying to convince homeowners of older and potentially historically significant properties to consider alternatives to tearing their homes down or selling to homebuilders.

The society said earlier this week that it “has sent an appeal letter to dozens of area homeowners, home-builders and real estate agents” which “asks that owners, builders and agents conduct research on their properties before rushing to the tear-down option.”

Go to Historical Society to homeowners: please don’t tear down your old house Read more
News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com
Ballston at twilight (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Big Raise for Ballston Startup — “Federated Wireless, the leader in shared spectrum and CBRS technology, today announced that it has secured $58 million in Series D funding. An affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. led the round, with existing investors Allied Minds and GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, also participating.” [Federated Wireless]

Library Spotlights Segregation History — “A new window display at Aurora Hills Library spotlights efforts of some local residents to promote education and literacy during a time of rigid racial segregation across Virginia. The display focuses on the Henry L. Holmes Library, which was founded by Arlington’s African-American community in 1940 and served as the only library resource for the community until the county’s library system was integrated in the late 1940s.” [Sun Gazette]

Go to Morning Notes Read more
Feature

The original Five Guys was located in a strip mall along Columbia Pike

By Matt Blitz
Five Guys founder Jerry Murrell in front of the original Five Guys on Columbia Pike (photo courtesy of Five Guys Burgers & Fries)

Before Five Guys was a big burger chain, it was a small fry tucked away in a shopping center on Columbia Pike.

Today, Five Guys Burgers & Fries has more than 1,500 locations worldwide and grosses nearly a billion dollars in revenue. But 35 years ago, it was nothing more than a tiny beloved burger joint at the corner of S. Glebe Road and Columbia Pike in Westmont Shopping Center, a strip mall that’s now rubble and in the midst of redevelopment.

Go to The original Five Guys was located in a strip mall along Columbia Pike Read more
Feature

From the Pike to Dubai, Bob & Edith’s Diner wants to serve the world pancakes

By Matt Blitz
Bob & Edith's Diner on Columbia Pike (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

A whiff of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of bacon sizzling greets customers walking through the door at Bob & Edith’s Diner on Columbia Pike.

Old framed photos line the white, tiled walls. Alternating blue and yellow stools line the counter as the grill behind it smokes. Blue-tabled booths, adorned with ketchup bottles, are ready for diners.

Go to From the Pike to Dubai, Bob & Edith’s Diner wants to serve the world pancakes Read more
View More Stories