Cherrydale, Virginia facts for kids
Cherrydale is a cool neighborhood located in northern Arlington, Virginia. It's known for a busy intersection called the "Five Points." This is where Quincy Street, Military Road, and Old Dominion Road meet, and Lee Highway (U.S. Route 29) cuts right through them.
Cherrydale is home to Dorothy Hamm Middle School, a place where many students learn and grow. One of the oldest buildings here is the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire House. It was built way back in 1919! This firehouse is still used by the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department, who help keep the community safe. They work alongside the professional firefighters from Arlington County's Station 3.
History of Cherrydale
The name "Cherrydale" has an interesting story. In 1893, a post office opened in the area. It was named Cherrydale because of a huge cherry orchard owned by Dorsey Donaldson. This orchard was located behind where the firehouse stands today. At that time, Quincy Street was called Cherry Valley Road.
People started settling in this area after the American Civil War. The community really began to grow in 1906. This was when The Great Falls and Old Dominion Railway Line was built. This railway made it easier for people to travel and for goods to be moved.
However, the railway was eventually closed in 1935. The old tracks were removed, and the path where the train used to run became what we now know as Old Dominion Drive.
Another important road in the area is Military Road. It was built in 1861 by Army Engineers during the Civil War. This road was very important because it connected isolated forts like Fort Marcy and Fort Ethan Allen near Chain Bridge to the main Arlington Line of defenses. It helped soldiers move quickly through the thick woods.
