Rosemont in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fun in the Forest
Alexandria Heritage Trail
This forest has long been a natural playground for children growing up in the area. The woods around the village extended to Quaker Lane and janney's Lane. During World War II, when the Chinquapin Village children took a break from playing ball in the summers, they would come into the woods and swim in Taylor Run. Jerry Sare grew up in the Village. His vivid memory captured a snapshot of the time: "There used to be a couple of nice holes down there in the creek where we could swim...They had big cliffs that went up to the top of the hill...to King Street. We'd get ropes up in these trees and swing around and drop down."
Children used natural materials along Taylor Run for their enjoyment. Elizabeth Henry Douglas remembered that the bank of the stream provided public clay: "We used to mold it, make dolls and everything else! She and her friends also used clay for an instant treat, "clay cookies." She recounted that the "clay bank that we used to eat out of was simply delicious with a "sour tang" taste.
Erected by City of Alexandria, Virginia.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels
this page online
Location. 38° 49.347′ N, 77° 4.886′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Rosemont. Marker can be reached from Chinquapin Drive, 0.2 miles south of King Street (Virginia Route 7), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3127 King St, Alexandria VA 22302, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Chinquapin House (within shouting distance of this marker); Mills and Molassas (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chinquapin Trek (about 700 feet away); Life of a Creek (about 700 feet away); Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Southwest 3 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Listen for Chipmunks (approx. ¼ mile away); This Flag Flies (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Native American Village (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
More about this marker. [Captions:]
Children growing up in Alexandria before the 1950s often swam in the natural swimming holes in the many streams.
Library of Congress
One of the Chinquapin Village
Courtesy of Brice Warthen
Additional commentary.
1. Formatting
The formatting from the marker has been used verbatim, notably the inconsistent italics in both paragraphs as well as the missing quotation mark in the second paragraph.
— Submitted May 31, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
