Shirlington, Virginia facts for kids
Shirlington is a lively urban area in Arlington County, Virginia, United States. It's often called an "urban village" and is right next to the Fairlington area. The name "Shirlington" comes from combining "Shirley" (from the nearby Shirley Highway) and "Arlington."
Shirlington is known as "Arlington’s Arts and Entertainment District." It's designed to be a place where people can live, work, and have fun all in one spot. This area has many homes, shops, and services. It's a popular place for families and has seen a lot of growth and new businesses recently. Shirlington also serves nearby communities like Fairlington and Parkfairfax.
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Where is Shirlington Located?
Shirlington sits in the valley of Four Mile Run, which is a small river that flows into the Potomac River. The land gently rises towards Fairlington in the south and Green Valley in the north.
The area is bordered by I-395 on the east. To the north and west, you'll find roads like South Glebe Road and South Walter Reed Drive. On the west and south, it's bordered by South Arlington Mill Drive and the Arlington County Environmental Services facility. Most of the homes, shops, and restaurants are south of Four Mile Run. The area to the northeast has more light industrial businesses.
A Look Back: Shirlington's History
Shirlington started thanks to Joseph Cherner, a businessman. He created the Shirlington Corporation to build a shopping center. This center was meant for people living in nearby Fairlington and Parkfairfax. The very first store opened in June 1944. Later, in 1959, a large Lansburgh's department store opened there.
However, by the 1970s, Shirlington's shopping center was getting old. It faced tough competition from newer shopping malls. So, in the 1980s, parts of Shirlington were updated. They created a "main street" feel along what is now Campbell Avenue.
Around the year 2000, leaders in Arlington County decided to focus more on areas like Shirlington. They worked with the property owner to create a special plan for the area. This plan aimed to make Shirlington more friendly for people walking around. It also planned for many new buildings that would combine homes, shops, and offices. This big plan was approved in 2001.
The development started in the mid-2000s. It was a partnership between a company called Federal Realty Investment Trust and Arlington County. As part of this plan, Campbell Avenue was extended. A new building was constructed to house both the Signature Theatre and the Shirlington Library. Many new homes and parking garages were also added.
What Businesses are in Shirlington?
Shirlington is home to some important organizations. WETA-TV is located here, where popular national shows like PBS Newshour are filmed. WETA-FM radio also has its offices in Shirlington. Some satellite offices for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are here too. Other companies like Analytic Services (ANSER) and HNTB Corporation also have major offices in Shirlington.
Getting Around Shirlington
Shirlington is easy to reach because it's right on I-395, also known as Shirley Highway. You can get off at Exit 6, which leads to Shirlington Circle.
The town has the Shirlington Bus Station. This is the only enclosed public bus station in Arlington. It's a main spot for catching Metrobus and Arlington Transit (ART) buses in South Arlington.
Shirlington is also where the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park trail begins. This trail follows the path of an old railroad line. You can also find Shirlington Park and Jennie Dean Park here.
Shirlington Circle: A Unique Road Intersection
Shirlington Circle is a special type of road intersection called a roundabout interchange. It connects I-395 with several local roads in Arlington County and Alexandria. Even though it's named after Shirlington, about half of the circle is actually in Alexandria. This type of roundabout is common in places like the United Kingdom but is rare in the U.S.
The circle has many ways to enter and exit. This includes ramps to and from I-395. There's even a special ramp for the reversible HOV lanes on I-395. Four local streets also meet at the circle:
- Shirlington Road
- Campbell Avenue
- Quaker Lane (State Route 402)
- Gunston Road
Generally, cars already in the circle have the right-of-way. Cars entering the circle must wait. However, there are also traffic lights and stop signs to help control the flow of traffic. The ramps from I-395 enter the circle from the inside, so cars need to merge left into the traffic flow. This unique setup has been in place since a major road reconstruction project between 1969 and 1972.
Things to Do in Shirlington
Shopping and Dining
The heart of Shirlington is the Village at Shirlington. This large complex has many shops, services, and homes. It first opened in 1944 as one of the earliest suburban shopping centers in the United States. Today, it offers most of the town's shopping options. You'll find many restaurants, a Harris Teeter grocery store, and a movie theater. There's even a full-service gas station that has been there since the 1940s!
Fun and Entertainment
Shirlington is a hub for arts and entertainment. It's home to the Signature Theatre, a famous theater company that has won awards. You can also find Theatre on the Run and the AMC Loews Shirlington 7 cinema here.
Shirlington hosts many fun public events and festivals throughout the year. These include:
- Wags and Whiskers (a festival for dogs and cats) in August
- The Celtic Festival in September
- Oktoberfest in October
- Shir-la-la, which features live music and wine tasting on summer Thursdays
The Shirlington Library
Shirlington has had a public library for over 60 years! The first library opened in 1947. It was first called Fairlington Library. The library moved to a new building in the early 1960s, specifically designed for the Shirlington Library.
Plans for a brand new library were approved in 2000. The old building was taken down, and the library moved to a temporary spot. In 2006, a flood caused the temporary library to close. The current Shirlington Library opened in March 2007. It's a large, modern facility located under the Signature Theater. The Shirlington Library is a branch of the Arlington Public Library system.
