Cranford Methodist Church is another small Northern Virginia church that can trace its history back to the 18th century. Where the current church stands there have been three churches and two schoolhouses. The first church that occupied the site from 1730-1774 was called Pohick Episcopal Church. Being a frame built church after 40 years it began to fall into disrepair and George Washington suggested moving the church and congregation to a better location. So a new larger Pohick Episcopal Church was built closer to the “main” road.
The old frame church fell into disrepair and the site at the corner of what are now called Colchester and Gunston Roads remained empty for almost 50 years. Then as the Methodist faith in the area began to grow a new meeting place was needed. First the congregation met in an old log cabin and then in 1857 a new Methodist Church was built on the site of the old Pohick Episcopal Church. When the new church was built it was named Lewis Chapel, for the minister who inspired the growth of the congregation.
As church attendance grew the building was enlarged and the first “free” school for former slaves used the church for classes. As the church continued to grow a new church was again needed and in 1900 the now standing Cranford Methodist Church was built. In 1953 the Lewis Chapel which was about a block from where the new church was built was moved and connected to the new church. At this time, the original exterior clapboards on Lewis Chapel were reversed, inside to outside. This work was accomplished under the supervision of architect Hayward Davis of Lorton.
A walkway of oversized brick, which is thought to be from the time of the first Pohick Church crosses part of the Churchyard and contains an engraved stone marking the site of the first Pohick church dated 1730-1774.
Historic Churches in Northern Virginia Tour
©2008. All rights reserved. Cindy Jones
All original photos taken January 2008
It doesn’t matter how famous you might be in US history if you can’t pay your bills the government is going to confiscate your land. And this is what happened to none other than Robert E. Lee and his wife during the civil war. General Lee was unable to keep up with the taxes on the Custis-Lee estate and abandoned the property while fighting in the civil war. The land was purchased at auction by the US Government and divided into 200 acres for Arlington National Cemetery and 256 acres for a site originally called Fort Whipple. After the war the name of the post was changed to Fort Myer to honor the first general of the US Signal Corps Albert J. Myer.
So if the information that the land that comprises the Fort Myer came to the US by tax confiscation isn’t enough history it is also the site of the first military aircraft flight by Orville Wright and the site of the first military aircraft fatality. On the second flight attempt Orville Wright was injured and Lt. Selfridge was killed. So much for the fame of Kitty Hawk!
Just as the Marine Corps Barracks-DC is home to the ceremonial units for the Marine Corps, Fort Myer is home to the US Army School of Music and The Old Guard the army’s ceremonial unit. When driving through Fort Myer you will find the stables for the horses and caisson used for both military and Presidential funerals. The most famous horse remembered from the Old Guard in Black Jack the riderless horse seen in the funerals of presidents John F. Kennedy, Herbert Hoover and Lyndon Johnson.
Many of the buildings and brick homes on Fort Myer are listed on the historic register and the 26 Victorian-style homes known as "Generals' Row" were built 75 years ago. if you drive to the back gate of Fort Myer you can take in incredible view over Arlington Cemetery and the Washington monument. For those in the know and with the right pass it is a fantastic place to take in Washington’s fireworks.
In 2005 some of Henderson Hall management functions moved to Fort Myer establishing Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. If you are stationed at either the Navy Annex or Henderson Hall you can get on to Fort Myer during the week through the back gates.
Many military personnel coming into Fort Meyer find Fairlington and Park Fairfax are great places to call home. With the proximity to Shirlington and Clarendon finding a place to take in a movie, grab a bite to eat or shop, Fort Meyerr is in a strategic location.
If you find yourself with PCS orders to Fort Myer, Military District of Washington, Fort Belvoir, Pentagon or any of the other military locations around Northern Virginia give me a call.
Related Posts for Military Relocation to Northern Virginia
Quantico Marine Base-Housing with a History
Marine Barracks DC
Welcome to the Pentagon
Is A Move to Fort Belvoir in Your Future?
Military Relocation to Northern Virginia
Military Relocation to Northern Virginia-Moving with your Pets
©2008 Cindy Jones. All Rights Reserved
All original photos taken at Fort Myer in January 2008 by Cindy Jones
Fireworks photo from IStock.
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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.
Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.
This morning is one of those where you wake up with a list longer than your arm to complete and the weather just doesn't inspire you to get moving. So as I was doing some organizing of my various photo albums, Flickr, Picassa, disks and drives I came across some photos from last summer taken on a trip to Merrifield Garden Center in Fairfax Virginia. So today I’ll keep a little of summer on my screen to perk up the day.
Hope it helps anyone else who might be looking for a ray of sunshine in their day.
© Cindy Jones
All original photos taken by Cindy Jones
August 2007
Just a few miles outside the gates of Fort Belvoir visitors and residents of Fairfax County can find some of Virginia’s finest historic homes and our nation’s treasures. For their time these homes were the envy of the neighborhood and the owners most certainly among the richest families in Fairfax County.
Sitting on the best piece of property that any colonist could have imagined is Mount Vernon the home of George Washington. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to picture the prominent colonist in the 1770’s sitting on the back porch watching the large mast ships headed into the docks in Alexandria. With the distinguished white frame home, stone fences and outbuildings wandering through the grounds is a great way to get a feel for how life might have been like so long ago.
If you happen to be in the area between on a weekend between January 12 and February 10th you can get a peek in the basement of Mount Vernon to see the cornerstone of the property. This is a special event coinciding with the movie National Treasure II which suggests that the cornerstone actually opens to a secret passageway under Mount Vernon. Sorry but that is just a bit of Hollywood magic.
Just a short hop down the road you will enter the gates to Woodlawn Plantation. Looking at this stately brick home built between 1800-1805 you have to be amazed by the construction and architecture that created a home that has stood for 200 years. Built for George Washington’s grand-daughter Nelly Custis-Lewis on a 2,000 acre site, the property the home is a beautiful example of the Federal style popular with mansions at the time. Designed by the same architect, William Thornton, who created the US Capitol the home was furnished with many of the original pieces from Mount Vernon. Situated at the top of a hill known as Gray’s Hill the back porch of the home has a view of the Potomac River and was the first property owned by the National Historic Trust formed in 1951.
The last stop on this tour of Fairfax County’s rich and famous colonists is Gunston Hall home of George Mason. Built between 1755-1760 and designed by one of the indentured servants, William Buckland, the home was one of the first with elaborate woodworking details that were not typical for the time. Originally situated on 5,500 acres the home had a unique architectural design the most notable was that the upper and lower floors were not an exact duplicate of each other. There are still archeological digs on the grounds of the property trying to determine some of the placement of the original landscaping and outbuildings. Gunston Hall maintains a flock of rare Hog Island Sheep and Devon Steer.
So if you have PCS orders to Fort Belvoir this spring and are planning house hunting you might want to check out these famous Fairfax County homes while you are in town. They aren’t for sale but I would be glad to help you find one that is.
© Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. Cindy Jones
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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.
Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.
A number of the properties listed as foreclosures in Prince William County are homes that have been built in last few years. In fact in Woodbridge you can find 30 homes built since 2005 currently listed for sale. These homes range from condos and golf villas in Belmont Bay to luxury detached homes in River Falls. Since these homes are newer many of them are still covered by the builders warranty and have some of the upgrades today’s buyers are looking for. In fact some of these homes have never been lived in having been purchased by speculators who hoped to buy and flip.
| Address | ListPrice | AdvertisedSubdivision | Type | BR | FB | HB | LVL | FP |
| 13824 GREENDALE DR #62 | $384,900 | BELMONT BAY GOLF VILLA C | Golf Villa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 710 REDGATE LN | $419,900 | BELMONT CENTER BELMONT | Townhouse | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 705 REDGATE LN | $387,900 | BELMONT CENTER BELMONT | Townhouse | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 732 CHEVINGTON CT | $415,000 | BELMONT CENTER BELMONT | Townhouse | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 15511 BANJO CT | $289,900 | BRIGHTWOOD FOREST | Townhouse | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 15621 ALTOMARE TRACE | $529,900 | CARDINAL TRACE | Detached | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 13098 QUATE LN | $619,900 | DALE CITY | Detached | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 13156 QUADE LN | $629,000 | DALE CITY | Detached | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2534 TRANSOM PL | $549,900 | PORT POTOMAC | Detached | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2701 BULKHEAD DR | $469,900 | PORT POTOMAC | Detached | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2725 CELESTIAL DR | $357,900 | PORT POTOMAC | Townhouse | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2785 WAKEWATER WAY | $324,900 | PORT POTOMAC | Townhouse | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 16180 RADBURN ST | $447,900 | PORT POTOMAC | Detached | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2769 WAKEWATER WAY | $328,000 | PORT POTOMAC | Townhouse | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2522 TRANSOM PL | $465,500 | PORT POTOMAC | Detached | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 15254 LORD CULPEPER CT | $418,000 | RIPPON LANDING | Detached | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 15260 LORD CULPEPER CT | $416,900 | RIPPON LANDING | Detached | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 15671 WILLIAM BAYLISS CT | $339,900 | RIPPON LANDING | Townhouse | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2220 HENRY WATTS LOOP | $339,900 | RIPPON LANDING | Townhouse | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 15668 WILLIAM BAYLISS CT | $339,900 | RIPPON LANDING | Townhouse | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2132 CALLAO CT | $322,900 | RIPPON LANDING | Townhouse | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2241 HENRY WATTS LOOP | $354,900 | RIPPON LANDING | Townhouse | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 810 BELMONT BAY DR #202 | $350,900 | RIVER CLUB 1 AT BELMONT | Mid-Rise | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 4367 WINDERMERE VIEW PL | $1,195,000 | RIVER FALLS | Detached | 6 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 16795 SWEENEY LN | $331,900 | RIVER OAKS | Townhouse | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 2522 OAK TREE LN | $320,000 | RIVER OAKS | Townhouse | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 16803 SWEENEY LN | $305,000 | RIVER OAKS | Townhouse | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 14540 THREE DORMERS CT | $529,000 | SARATOGA HUNT | Detached | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 14528 THREE DORMERS CT | $639,900 | SARATOGA HUNT | Detached | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 14527 THREE DORMERS CT | $549,900 | SARATOGA HUNT | Detached | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Deciding whether to buy a foreclosure property in Prince William County is not as easy as walking in to the house and saying “I’ll take it.” Purchasing foreclosure properties requires more time and negotiation with a third party than buying a resale home. Third party mortgage holders, banks and mortgage companies, are willing to negotiate but they are not taking pennies on the dollar. Submitting an offer for half of the value of the home is not going to be taken seriously and could reduce your chances to buy the property you really want.
The third party mortgage holders expect a buyer to submit a letter from a reputable lender stating they are qualified to buy the home. Some properties, for example those listed by Countrywide Mortgage or Wells Fargo require that you are qualified according to their specific guidelines and by one of there mortgage consultants.
So as you weigh your options and research whether a foreclosure property may be right for you, make sure you have talked to a lender so you understand and are comfortable with your financial situation. If you need assistance in connecting with a lender let me know and I will be glad to pass on some names for you to contact.
Before you make the decision to buy a Prince William County foreclosure property make sure you work with an agent who has experience in handling foreclosures evaluations for third parties and understands the process of making an offer and negotiating with a third party.
If you are interested in receiving information on any of these Prince William County foreclosure properties or in other areas give me a call. I’ve successfully negotiated with third parties to help my clients buy a foreclosure and REO properties.
Related Articles on Foreclosure property:
The Tale of Three Houses
Virginia Foreclosure Process
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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.
Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.
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Helping buyers & sellers throughout Northern Virginia. Specializing in support for military relocations including Fort Belvoir, Quantico, Pentagon and Military District of Washington.
Whether you are buying or selling property in Fairfax County, Prince William County, Arlington, Alexandria or the surrounding Northern Virginia area, it is important to have confidence in your real estate professional. My commitment as your local Realtor® is to provide you with the personalized real estate services you deserve.
Providing information on the Northern Virginia area that is up-to-date, reliable and applicable to the local market enables you to make the best possible decision about one of your largest financial assets. In a market where change is around every corner it is important to have an agent who has expertise in marketing, negotiation and understanding the complexities of the real estate transaction.
As a area native of the area and with extensive knowledge of local communities I have a unique perspective on the changes in Northern Virginia over the years. I have seen the real estate market in the area go through numerous cycles and can help you gain a perspective on what that means to you over time.
If you are considering buying or selling a home in Northern Virginia or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your neighborhood, please don't hesitate to call, e-mail me or visit my webiste Cindy Jones Homes. Let me show you how I use the Power of RE/MAX and my innovative marketing strategies to work for you. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
As a surviving spouse of a military officer I do all I can to support our troops either here in the Northern Virginia area or those stationed overseas. 
I proudly work with military families relocating to the various bases in the Northern Virginia area. Whether your orders bring you to the Military District of Washington, Pentagon, Quantico, Navy Yard, Ft. Belvoir, Ft Myer, Andrews AFB or any other installation in the area I look forward to helping you find the neighborhood and home that works for you. It is my honor to serve those who serve our country every day. If you find yourself with orders to the DC area give me a call. I look forward to helping you with your relocation needs.
Read more about neighborhoods and information relevant to military families moving to Northern Virginia
Links to more information on places to visit and things to do during your time in the area.
I'm a proud supporter of the Fisher House.To learn more about the Fisher House and how you might be able to support their programs click on the logo.
What is the single most basic element of my job? Helping people. More specifically, I help people realize their home ownership dreams. I love what I do. I have the privilege and fun of helping people find a home that’s just right–one in which they can live, love and laugh. I also consider it an exhilarating challenge to help people sell a home-getting the property ready, highlighting its features and bringing the right buyers to see it. Education is a major part of keeping abreast of the real estate industry and local market. I have earned my Virginia Brokers license (180 hours of real estate education plus national and state exams) and I am Certified Residential Specialist , something only 4% of Realtors® nationwide have the production and education requirements to do. I never stop at just getting the required hours needed for license renewal I exceed them so that I can stay abreast of what is happening in the industry.
Prior to becoming a full-time Realtor® I worked in both the higher education and educational technology fields helping to build new programs and integrate technology on universities campuses world-wide. With an MBA and professional coursework in Conflict Negotiation and Resolution I know what it takes to write winning contracts, work through the details and end up with a win/win situation for both buyers and sellers.
I believe this background, combined with my real estate experience gives me an edge to help me get the best deal for my clients. You will never hear me say I am #1 because if I don’t get the job done for YOU, the most important person in the real estate transaction, then it doesn’t matter what else I might have accomplished.
Testimonals Cindy thanks again for helping us find a place to rent while I am stationed at the Pentagon. A number of other agents blew me off but you took the time to listen to what my family needed and found us just the right neighborhood to call home during my tour here. You can be assured I'll tell everyone else in my command about how you went the extra mile to help a military family. Col Jim Sheradan USA
"I attended the Home Buyer's Seminar, and as a prospective first time buyer, I thought the seminar was extremely informative, personable, and comprehensive. We were able to get thoroough information from everything on what to look for in obtaining a mortgage, red flags in home inspections, as well as the contract signing process. I would highly recommend this seminar to anyone who is a first time buyer, or someone who would like the latest information out there."
Ted Fenn-Senior Consultant Deloitte Touche
"Thanks Cindy for your approach to getting my unique hold some. The sign rider with the address (6705 Fox Den) of our home was great and made it easy for anyone to find the listing on the internet. We were wowed with all you did and how fast you got our home SOLD! We will recommonded you to anyone who needs an agent in the future." Sherri
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I hope you will also check out my VaRealEstateTalk blog as well. It is packed with more information on the Northern Virginia real estate market.
Copyright 2007 & 2008. All rights reserved. Cindy Jones
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