History of Arlington County and Old Town Alexandria

Arlington County, Virginia

• Was part of the District of Columbia until 1846.
• Primarily farmland in the 19th century, severely impacted by the Civil War, taking over 30 years to recover.
• George Washington Parke Custis's 1,100-acre plantation was seized during the Civil War, becoming Arlington National Cemetery.
• Became a popular bedroom community for Washington D.C. due to proximity in the first half of the 20th century.
• Population is ethnically and economically diverse.
• Features notable landmarks such as the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), the largest cast bronze statuary group globally.
• The U.S. Air Force Memorial, with three stainless-steel spires, is also situated near the cemetery.

Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

• Rival port city to Georgetown in the 18th century.
• Part of the District of Columbia from 1791 to 1846.
• Experienced economic decline in the first half of the 19th century.
• Returned to Virginia in 1846.
• Featured Confederate sympathies during the Civil War, later occupied by federal troops.
• Historic buildings like Gadsby's hotel and tavern, Carlyle House (1752), and Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary (1792) were restored.
• Became more accessible with subway stations opened in 1983, leading to renewed interest and development.

Fairfax County, Virginia

• Features historic properties including George Washington's Mount Vernon, Martha Washington's granddaughter's Woodlawn Plantation, and George Mason's Gunston Hall.
• Includes George Mason University's Center for the Arts and the Fairfax Symphony.
• McLean is a wealthy community with the Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run.
• Chantilly boasts Sully Historic Site (1794), the home of Richard Bland Lee.

Montgomery County, Maryland

• Bethesda-Chevy Chase is a growing metropolis of shops, high-rise buildings, and expensive housing.
• Strathmore is an arts and exhibition complex in North Bethesda.
• Silver Spring is a diverse suburb of Washington.
• Takoma Park features Victorian-style homes, shops, and festivals.

Prince George's County, Maryland

• Houses the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland.

Parks and Memorials in the Washington, D.C. Area

• Potomac Park (1897): Created by reclamation of riverland, includes cherry trees (gift from Japan in 1912), memorials (Lincoln, Vietnam War, etc.), and athletic facilities.
• Theodore Roosevelt Island (1967): A 91-acre wildlife preserve.
• Numerous other Washington parks mentioned, including Meridian Hill, Montrose, Glover-Archibald, Franciscan Monastery grounds, and Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

###Other Notable Locations

• The Pentagon, constructed during WWII to consolidate military branches, is located near Arlington National Cemetery.
• The National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is near Dulles Airport.
• Great Falls Park, located on the Potomac River, offers views of the cascades and rapids and a glimpse into 18th- and 19th-century canal history.