![]() |
|
|
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.

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.

Both homes are great places to visit in the fall when crowds are low. If you live close to Fort Belvoir stop by and check out the homes of your famous neighbors. Then you can stop by my house to borrow that cup of sugar.
©Cindy Jones. All Rights Reserved. "Fort Belvoir-You Can't Borrow a Cup of Sugar from These Neighborhoods"
Mount Vernon Photo-istock.com
Woodlawn Photo ©Cindy Jones
![]() |
|
|
A gristmill is a mill for the grinding of grain, specifically a customer's own grain. Grist mills were a common site in colonial America, but there are few such mills still in operation today. Pierce Mill a Rock Creek Park in DC is open to the public but is non-operational. The mill needs repairs.
But George Washington's Gristmill in Mount Vernon Virginia is fully operational and is a site to see! The mill operates everday from April until the end of October. The gristmill is three miles south of Mount Vernon on the site of Washington's original mill and distillery. Combination tickets which include a visit to the Gristmill are sold at Mount Vernon's Main Gate.
George Washington inherited Mount Vernon in 1754 and the mill was part of the estate. At that time, the gristmill was a "custom mill", meaning that grain was ground here for private usage. Grain was not ground for sale. Rather, neighbors and residents of Mount Vernon used the mill almost exclusively.
Washington decided to convert the custom mill into a "merchant mill". A merchant mill ground flour and cornmeal as a service for profit. In 1771, Washington added a second pair of grinding stones. Washington's Gristmill served Mount Vernon but it also ground grain for sale up and down the East Coast of America and as far away as Portugal and the West Indies. The current reconstruction depicts the operation of the mill during this period.
As in Washington's day, the mill was powered by a stream of water from Dogue Run. In those days, a wharf at the point where Dogue Run enters the Potomac served to bring grain to and from the mill.
Mount Vernon is a wonderful community about 5 miles from Washington DC. From Fort Hunt to Fort Belvoir there are manor homes, houses, townhouses and condos to fit any budget or style. Check out Fort Hunt Info for a little more information about this area. Contact Will Nesbitt for a local expert who cares about your goals and real estate needs. 
![]() |
|
|
This is wonderful neighborhood with easy access to parks, bike trails and jogging paths. These homes have generous proportions and ample lots.
Heading south, one will encounter Westgrove first. Westgroves homes, many built in the fifties and sixties, are sturdy, brick homes with tasteful, colonial touches. Like much of New Alexandria, Westgrove lies below the uplands, but still well outside most of the River's floodplain.
Villamay homes are perched on the bluff, and many have wonderful vistas to the River and beyond the Potomac to Maryland. Villamay homes are often split level characterized by enormous rooms with a thoroughly modern feel.
Marlan Forest, as the name implies, is a bit more wooded than Villamay and Westgrove. The lots are large and most have towering hardwoods. The entire neighborhood is quiet, elegant and highly desirable.
The neighborhoods surrounding Fort Hunt Road are generally low-crime, high-income and well-maintained. Despite these commonalities, there are many differences between these neighborhoods depending upon the geology, location and builders in that neighborhood. This information is provided to give one an idea of the many choices offered along Fort Hunt Road, as well as give you an idea of what sort of activities are available here.
Neighborhoods
To search properties contact Will Nesbitt. I am a condo specialist, but I am also a resident of this area. Thus I serve many clients all along Fort Hunt Road in condos, townhouses and single family houses. I know this area well and will work hard to serve you.
![]() |
|
|

The 18 mile long Mount Vernon,Trail starts at Theodore Roosevelt Island and terminates at the Washington Estate at Mount Vernon. It is very popular and heavily travelled by cyclists, joggers and hikers.
You will pass Arlington National Cemetery, Reagan National Airtport, tour through Old Town Alexandria and along the Potomac River to Mount Vernon. The views of the Washington monuments are spectacular.
It is one of the trails we have enjoyed over the years, especially in the Fall and Spring when both the weather and foliage are spectacular. Also see PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY BIKE PATHS.
Planning to Buy or Sell Real Estate? Contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-562-1532. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.
![]() |
|
|

This is one of the market reports I publish on a monthly basis for Waynewood. Many REALTORS® prepare a report for all of Fairfax County or Northern Virginia. In my opinion, that covers too broad an area to be meaningful. I do believe my approach will give you a much more realistic picture of the market in the area closest to your home.
Currently, there are 8 HOMES FOR SALE
The sales figures in this report are for the MONTH ENDING FEBRUARY 29, 2008
SALES STATISTICS (4 SOLD)
AVERAGE LIST PRICE | $630,580 |
AVERAGE SALES PRICE | $617,100 |
MINUS SELLER SUBSIDIES | $90 |
NET SALES PRICE | $617,010 |
There is no more convenient or affordable residential area in Northern Virginia than Waynewood.
We believe we are the most qualfied team to assist you.
We know the area thoroughly - we've lived in Northern Virginia for 34 years
We know real estate thoroughly - we've served more than 1500 clients over the past 32 years.
We utilize state of the art technology to maximize our client service.
CONTACT ME for assistance with WAYNEWOOD, Fairfax County or Northern Virginia real estate.
RELATED SITES

ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved