Edsall Park - Yesterday and Today

By Robyn Carter

Edsall Park was built beginning in late 1956 and officially opened on January 12, 1957 when the model homes at the south corners of Edsall Road and Montgomery Street were opened for showing.

The homes were all built by the Crestwood Construction Corporation (at the time located at 4415 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA), who were in business from 1946 up until the corporation was dissolved in 1988. (read more)

By Jack Lewis Hiller
Did you know that there are 85 places in 35 states named Springfield? Or so says Dan Tilque in "Common Place names" published in "Word Ways: The Journal of Recreational Linguistics," (Morristown, N.J.). Fairfax County has had its share of Springfields at least two in the 18th century disappeared. In 1742 the area around Tyson's Corner where the first Fairfax Courthouse was built was known as Springfield; and George Mason's friend and neighbor on Mason Neck,Martin Cockburn, named his farm Springfield. But the place we call Springfield today had its roots in the 19th century. The name "Springfield" originated withHenry Daingerfield who, in January 1851, acquired 920 acres in the vicinity of where Backlick Road crosses the Southern Railroad tracks. This land today is partially occupied by Shirley Industrial Park and the intersection between Routes 95, 395 and the Beltway. He named his land "Springfield Farm." Daingerfield, a prominent Alexandria businessman and land speculator, was a director of the newly organized (1848) Orange and Alexandria Railroad. In July 1851 the railroad laid track acrosshis recently acquired land. To service his farm, Daingerfield put a station depot on the south side of the track east of Backlick Roadapproximatelywhere the Virginia Railway Express commuter station now stands. - READ THE WHOLE STORY

Edsall Park sits between Braddock Road and Industrial Road to the North and the South and Bracklick and Cherokee Roads to the East and West. Located very close to 395 and the mixing bowl, you can get anywhere very quickly. Edsall Park is the main part of the Edsall Road West Citizens Association and other community organizations. There are around 400 homes. The homes range between split level and ranch styles. The neighborhood is constantly changing and has a varried mix of residents.

Edsall Park is in the middle of a community resurgence, with community activities and other civic organizations.