Green Valley in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Community Businesses
The entrepreneurial spirit of Green Valley was born of necessity. Businesses emerged in the shadow of segregation as owners supplied services that otherwise were denied to their community.
[Captions:]
James Chinn established Chinn Funeral Services at 2605 S. Shirlington Road in 1946. Robert Baker (center) purchased the business in 1969 and members of the family continue to operate the Chinn-Baker Funeral Home.
Ralph Collins, shown here with his wife, Cornelia, founded Friendly Taxi Cab Company in 1952 as a reaction to the segregation of Arlington Hospital. Services for African American patients were limited and mothers were expected to travel to Washington, D.C. to give birth. Collins recognized this struggle and sought to create reliable hospital transportation for local residents. The Collins family continues to operate the business.
Barber shops have been a mainstay of Green Valley. Galvester Crawley, a previous employee of Majestic Barber shop, established Star Barber around 1956. Ronald Marshall (seen here) began working at the shop as a barber in 1965. Marshall purchased Star Barber Shop at 2530 S. Shirlington Road in 1987.
Green Valley Pharmacy at 2515 S. Shirlington Road was founded in 1952. The building is a Local Historic District and an important part of Arlington's history. Seen here in 2010, the pharmacy helped to shape and define the local community for generations of its residents.
Leonard "Doc" Muse founded Green Valley Pharmacy in 1952 and was its sole operator until his death in 2017. The Pharmacy was especially popular for its dine-in lunch counter. In the early days, an order of two hot dogs cost just 25 cents.
Erected by Arlington
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Science & Medicine.
Location. 38° 50.913′ N, 77° 5.147′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Green Valley. It can be reached from South Kenmore Street north of 24th Street South, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3436 24th St S, Arlington VA 22206, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Origins of Green Valley (here, next to this marker); Places of Worship (a few steps from this marker); Recreation (a few steps from this marker); Drew School (a few steps from this marker); Living and Learning (within shouting distance of this marker); FREED, 2021 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Macedonia Baptist Church (about 500 feet away); Arlington Lodge 58 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Origins (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
