The Story of Arrowhead Farm

The Story of Arrowhead Farm. . In 1946 Hal and Ruth Launders settled here on what was then a farm on the road to Centreville just south of the town of Herndon. Hal lived in Washington before the War and worked in public relations. He served with the Coast Guard in the South Pacific during World War II and saw action in many of the great island invasions. Ruth worked in the Federal Government in Washington. They were wed in May of 1946 in Litchfield, Connecticut., Ruth grew up in frontier Oklahoma and always loved the rural life. She chose this farm because of its flagstone ranch house with its distinctive dark wooden interior. It reminded her of her childhood in the Great Plains, a farmhouse quite different than the typical white clapboard style of the region. The Launders named the farm Arrowhead because of the numerous Indian artifacts found in the fields. Arrowhead Farm was always a place of great activity with many animals, both wild and domestic, including pet Great Danes, roaming the property. Visitors commonly enjoyed all of the aspects of this vibrant home including the backyard swimming pool., Like most of their neighbors, Hal and Ruth initially owned a herd of dairy cows, the most common agricultural use of the time. By 1950, however, they discovered there was less work and more money in raising beef cattle. Ruth decided to focus on registered Aberdeen Angus., The herd grew to almost 200 by the 1960s but averaged around 50 in later years. In a 1974 newspaper article, Ruth said, "We did everything the wrong way but there was never a dull moment." Over the years, she traveled to livestock shows nationwide and won many awards for her prized bulls. Angus cattle grazed on this land until 1998 when the herd was sold. It was one of the last active farming operations in Fairfax County., Ruth loved animals and the outdoors. It was not unusual to see her driving a tractor hauling hay to and from Arrowhead Farm up and down the local roads of Herndon. Hal, who grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, was not nearly as knowledgeable on farming. But he helped as best he could especially on the business side. He focused his energy however on real estate and community affairs. The arrival of Dulles Airport in 1962 was of special importance to him. Years before his fellow citizens, Hal saw the promise of Dulles as a catalyst for local economic development. He was a founding member of the Committee for Dulles in 1966 and later served as its President. He also served as President of the Herndon Chamber of Commerce., Hal died on September 18, 1996 survived by Ruth. Ruth died on May 11, 2001. Each passed to eternity peacefully asleep in their bedroom which had been their home for over 50 years. They are buried on their beloved property in accordance with their expressed wishes.