Boulevard Manor in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Great Falls Line
The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park
| | Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority | |
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2009
1. The Great Falls Line Marker
The Bluemont Branch of the Washington & Old Dominion was not the railroads only line. The Great Falls & Old Dominion Railroad arose in 1906 from the vision of two prominent men. Sen. Stephen B. Elkins of West Virginia had prospered through coal, lumber, and railroads in his home state. John R. McLean was involved in several businesses and owned The Washington Post.
Elkins and McLean bought land on the Virginia side of the Potomac River at Great Falls. They turned it into a resort, complete with a carousel, dance pavilion, and an electrified trolley line to bring the crowds from Washington. The largely undeveloped land along the line was ideal for residential communities, including one named after McLean.
Erected by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the NOVA Parks, and the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 52.386′ N, 77° 7.959′ W. Marker was in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Bluemont Junction (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Great Falls Line (here, next to this marker); Rosslyn Station (here, next to this marker); The W&OD Railway and Jim Crow Laws (a few steps from this marker); Bluemont Junction, ca. 1934 (a few steps from this marker); Tracks into History (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil War Outpost (about 700 feet away); Reevesland (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Outpost (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. The background of the marker is a picture of a train on the Great Falls Line captioned, A small steam locomotive stops at Cherrydale in Arlington, along GF&OD around 1908. The marker also has portraits of John R. McLean and Sen. Stephen Elkins. A small inset reproduces an advertisement used for the W&OD describing services to Great Falls.
This marker
Photographed by Craig Swain
2. Three Markers in front of an Old Caboose
The markers at Bluemont Junction are clustered in front of an old caboose, which serves as an information center.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker which has a slightly different subtitle.
Also see . . . Great Falls and Old Dominion Line. Wikipedia entry, with a rather detailed listing of stops along the line. One section of the old railroad was converted to the present day Old Dominion Drive. (Submitted on November 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,981 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
