Gone, But Not Forgotten
As Arlington County grew, new buildings were constructed to reflect the popular styles of the time. As urbanization took hold, some buildings were demolished and replaced. Today, the county is a mix of old and new constructions in various styles and materials.
Historic preservation laws were uncommon before the 1960s. The federal government focused on sites of national importance and documentation through the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS). However, buildings were often still demolished due to urban renewal.
In 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) was passed by Congress to encourage the preservation of significant historical, architectural, and archaeological sites. The NHPA also established the National Register of Historic Places, which now includes nearly 100,000 listed sites.
Join us on a tour of the lost buildings and structures of Arlington County. Each of these places had a unique story and some were lost after a hard-fought battle. However, they all serve as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of our community and the rich heritage that is shared by all Arlington residents.
The Historic Febrey-Lothrop-Rouse Estate
The Febrey-Lothrop estate survived the Civil War, multiple owners, twentieth-century alterations, and its demolition, and still remains an important part of Arlington's history.
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Arlington Brewing Company
Arlington had its own brewery making beer for thirsty residents and businesses
Arlington had its own brewery making beer for thirsty residents and businesses. Built in 1896 on the banks of the Potomac where the Rosslyn Marriott now stands, the brewery was initially named the Consumers Brewing Company until 1902, when it was renamed the Arlington Brewing Company.
The…
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Abingdon Manor
The Abingdon ruins have remained largely undisturbed, despite the surrounding construction and expansion of Washington National Airport
On March 5, 1930, Abingdon, also known as the Alexander-Custis Estate, burned to the ground. Abingdon was an 18th- and 19th-century estate owned by the prominent Alexander, Custis, Stuart, and Hunter families. The estate's site is now on the grounds of the Ronald Reagan National Airport, where…
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The Certigrade House
The 'Certigrade House' became nationally famous in 1938 when plans for its construction in Arlington, Virginia were announced
It became the first home in the U.S. to qualify for a loan under the auspices of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), a New Deal” agency established in the Roosevelt Administration.
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