Near West Falls Church in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
James Lee Elementary School
Photographed By Ronald D Anzalone, February 5, 2022
1. James Lee Elementary School Marker
Fairfax County History Commission, 2021
The James Lee Elementary School opened in February 1948. It was built on land purchased in 1866 by African American James Edward Lee (1839-1919) who was born free.
In 1945, James Lee's son sold a portion of the original property to the Fairfax County School Board to build a school for black children. when completed it was the first black school in Fairfax County with indoor plumbing, heating, a classroom for each grade, auditorium, library, cafeteria, and clinic.
The James Lee Elementary School closed in 1966 when Fairfax County integrated its schools. The original building is now part of the James Lee Community Center.
Erected 2021 by Fairfax County History Commission, Fairfax County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.
Location. 38° 52.45′ N, 77° 10.46′ W. Marker is near West Falls Church, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker is at the intersection of Annandale Road (Virginia Route 649) and School Lane, on the right when traveling north on Annandale Road. James Lee Community Center is near East Falls Church and the Fairfax County/City of Falls Church boundary line. Touch for map.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Galloway Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Tinner Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Tinner Hill Historic Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Zig Zag Sculpture (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Tinner Hill Historic Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Tinner Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); Falls Church High School (FCHS) Site (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Emerging City 1920 - 1950 / 1950 and Beyond (approx. 0.4 miles away).
Additional commentary.
1. Questioning the date of closure of James Lee Elementary School
I was a (white) elementary school student at Devonshire Elementary in Fairfax County, Va. School System. In my 5th grade year, there was massive construction (addition) at Devonshire and many students were bused to James Lee Elementary School for one school year (I believe only fifth graders). I believe my age would have been 10 or 11 years old. I know I was 12 years old at Devonshire in the 6th grade in 1969. Thus, I would say that the marker stating the school closed in 1966 is inaccurate as it
Photographed By Ronald D Anzalone, February 7, 2022
2. James Lee Elementary School Marker along Annandale Road.
— Submitted April 11, 2023, by James E. Edmundson, Sr. of Haymarket, Virginia.
Photographed By Ronald D Anzalone, February 5, 2022
3. James Lee Community Center, former school entrance on Annandale Rd.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2022, by Ronald D Anzalone of Falls Church, Virginia. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 134 times this year. Last updated on February 7, 2022, by Ronald D Anzalone of Falls Church, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on February 5, 2022, by Ronald D Anzalone of Falls Church, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 7, 2022, by Ronald D Anzalone of Falls Church, Virginia. 3. submitted on February 5, 2022, by Ronald D Anzalone of Falls Church, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
