Anyone in the Fairfax area mid-November might be interested in attending the Fourth Annual Fairfax County History Conference. It will be held Saturday, November 15 from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm at the main campus of Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.
Speakers include Chris Martin, Ph.D., whom I've mentioned on this blog.
Sessions include "Seven Corners: A Post World War II Transformation" and "All Roads Lead to Fairfax: Tourist Courts and Diners." 20th century architecture and Fairfax County's agricultural heritage will also be discussed.
Registration is $30 and includes parking, breakfast and lunch.
For more information, contact Lynne Garvey-Hodge at 703-322-1811 or lghassoc@erols.com.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Technical Difficulties ... Please Stand By
I had to cancel my date with Virginia due to an incredibly persistent cold which has been going strong for the past couple of weeks.
In between long stretches tucked under the covers watching "Judge Judy," I logged on to Barbara Sher's bulletin board. To my delight, I discovered the ever-helpful regulars had provided suggestions for improving my blog. What better motivation could there be to get out of my pajamas and back on track?
Tomorrow I'm heading back to the Fairfax City Library with some fresh, meaty questions for the folks at the reference desk. And I'll reschedule my visit with Virginia Clarity next week.
In between long stretches tucked under the covers watching "Judge Judy," I logged on to Barbara Sher's bulletin board. To my delight, I discovered the ever-helpful regulars had provided suggestions for improving my blog. What better motivation could there be to get out of my pajamas and back on track?
Tomorrow I'm heading back to the Fairfax City Library with some fresh, meaty questions for the folks at the reference desk. And I'll reschedule my visit with Virginia Clarity next week.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Coffee and Local History
Virginia Clarity and I met in a pleasantly empty Starbuck's last Tuesday. The conversation was so enjoyable, 90 minutes passed unnoticed.
According to Ms. Clarity, the Customliner met its end approximately seven or eight years ago. Small by today's standards, it was being used as a rental property at the time of the final sale. The new owners had it torn down and built a new house in its place. And so, apparently, the Customliner lived out its life in Herndon without much ceremony.
In the forty-five years it was here, the Customliner and its neighborhood saw tremendous changes to their hometown. Now a D.C. suburb of approximately 22,000 people, Herndon in 1955 was a farming town of about 2000. Ms. Clarity recalled shopping in downtown Herndon and knowing everyone in the stores. Hardly a likely event now.
Federal government workers were already settling in Herndon in the mid-fifties. There was no Beltway at the time, and Metrorail was decades away, but workers could still get to the city by taking the W&OD railroad and streetcars into Washington. The W&OD still hosts commuters today - on bicycles.
Ms. Clarity purchased her Herndon Woods home a few months after the Customliner's arrival, and still lives there today. She says Herndon Woods was the town's first subdivision, advertised as reasonably priced housing friendly to couples with young children. Her reasons for buying her home: a desire to return to Herndon, reasonable cost, and to be close to her parents.
Ms. Clarity also recalled the financial inequalities that existed between the sexes at the time. If both spouses worked, only the husband's income would be considered in financing a home. After all, the woman would be giving up her job to keep house and take care of children! It also would have been difficult for a married woman to obtain a credit card in her own name. Why would she need one when her husband had an account? Single "working girls" might have an easier time getting credit, but in Ms. Clarity's experience, they would "go beserk" and spend beyond their means.
It seems hard to believe now, but credit cards would not have been readily available in 1955. In fact, Ms. Clarity says her parents did not get their first credit cards -- for gas -- in 1968, and she did not get any of her own until that same time. And credit limits were much lower and payment terms stricter. (Are we heading back in that direction today?)
The way Herndon Woods was built also reflects a different time. Instead of clearing the lot, existing trees were preserved. And the houses were built at different angles so that the yards formed an unfenced common area which was used for neighborhood get-togethers on weekends. A novel idea when so many neighborhood yards are now boxed in by fences.
My next step is to visit Ms. Clarity's home, and perhaps get some photos!
According to Ms. Clarity, the Customliner met its end approximately seven or eight years ago. Small by today's standards, it was being used as a rental property at the time of the final sale. The new owners had it torn down and built a new house in its place. And so, apparently, the Customliner lived out its life in Herndon without much ceremony.
In the forty-five years it was here, the Customliner and its neighborhood saw tremendous changes to their hometown. Now a D.C. suburb of approximately 22,000 people, Herndon in 1955 was a farming town of about 2000. Ms. Clarity recalled shopping in downtown Herndon and knowing everyone in the stores. Hardly a likely event now.
Federal government workers were already settling in Herndon in the mid-fifties. There was no Beltway at the time, and Metrorail was decades away, but workers could still get to the city by taking the W&OD railroad and streetcars into Washington. The W&OD still hosts commuters today - on bicycles.
Ms. Clarity purchased her Herndon Woods home a few months after the Customliner's arrival, and still lives there today. She says Herndon Woods was the town's first subdivision, advertised as reasonably priced housing friendly to couples with young children. Her reasons for buying her home: a desire to return to Herndon, reasonable cost, and to be close to her parents.
Ms. Clarity also recalled the financial inequalities that existed between the sexes at the time. If both spouses worked, only the husband's income would be considered in financing a home. After all, the woman would be giving up her job to keep house and take care of children! It also would have been difficult for a married woman to obtain a credit card in her own name. Why would she need one when her husband had an account? Single "working girls" might have an easier time getting credit, but in Ms. Clarity's experience, they would "go beserk" and spend beyond their means.
It seems hard to believe now, but credit cards would not have been readily available in 1955. In fact, Ms. Clarity says her parents did not get their first credit cards -- for gas -- in 1968, and she did not get any of her own until that same time. And credit limits were much lower and payment terms stricter. (Are we heading back in that direction today?)
The way Herndon Woods was built also reflects a different time. Instead of clearing the lot, existing trees were preserved. And the houses were built at different angles so that the yards formed an unfenced common area which was used for neighborhood get-togethers on weekends. A novel idea when so many neighborhood yards are now boxed in by fences.
My next step is to visit Ms. Clarity's home, and perhaps get some photos!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Hope on the Horizon
The past couple weeks have been discouraging. I hadn't heard back from Ms. Clarity. Fred Fiske was kind enough to reply to my letter, but he only recalls broadcasting from the home show, not any details. Mid-Century Mike's contact did not come through.
I'd been close to giving up this mission. Then, Virginia Clarity replied to my e-mail! We are tentatively scheduled to meet September 30. At that time, perhaps, all will be revealed.
I'd been close to giving up this mission. Then, Virginia Clarity replied to my e-mail! We are tentatively scheduled to meet September 30. At that time, perhaps, all will be revealed.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Cultivating a Friendship
I'm trying to set up a coffee with Ms. Virginia Clarity. I suspect she may have some interesting things to say about what life was like back when the Customliner touched ground. In an e-mail, she says she doesn't recall much celebration for the house's arrival. In fact, she believes a town councilman at the time referred to the housing development as "Herndon's first slum." Hmm.
I've also mailed off a letter to Fred Fiske at WAMU radio.
Interesting information to follow soon. I hope.
I've also mailed off a letter to Fred Fiske at WAMU radio.
Interesting information to follow soon. I hope.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
RIP Customliner
This afternoon, I sent an e-mail to Carol Bruce, president of the Herndon Historical Society. She in turn forwarded it to the society vice president, aptly named Virginia Clarity.
Ms. Clarity, who has been a resident of Herndon Woods since 1955, reported that the Customliner is no longer standing. It has been replaced by a large, white house.
After all this effort, I feel I should drive by and scatter flowers on the house's front lawn. What a sad way to end the saga.
Now I can turn my attention to conducting a post mortem. Who made the decision to demolish the Customliner and why? Did it bring excitement to the little town of Herndon when it first arrived? How long did it survive in Herndon Woods?
This will be like investigating the death of a friend.
Ms. Clarity, who has been a resident of Herndon Woods since 1955, reported that the Customliner is no longer standing. It has been replaced by a large, white house.
After all this effort, I feel I should drive by and scatter flowers on the house's front lawn. What a sad way to end the saga.
Now I can turn my attention to conducting a post mortem. Who made the decision to demolish the Customliner and why? Did it bring excitement to the little town of Herndon when it first arrived? How long did it survive in Herndon Woods?
This will be like investigating the death of a friend.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Fred Fiske
Having been unsuccessful at finding a phone number or e-mail for Fred Fiske, I've decided to write him a traditional business letter and send it in care of WAMU radio.
I can't remember the last time I wrote a formal letter on paper. What business style would be best? Block? Modified block? Does anyone even know what those terms mean anymore?
Hopefully, Mr. Fiske will have some insights on what the Home Show was like, and how the Customliner construction was received.
I can't remember the last time I wrote a formal letter on paper. What business style would be best? Block? Modified block? Does anyone even know what those terms mean anymore?
Hopefully, Mr. Fiske will have some insights on what the Home Show was like, and how the Customliner construction was received.
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