CPHD
Insider - Columbia Forest
Location
The Columbia Forest neighborhood is located in southern Arlington County, bordered by Columbia Pike between Four Mile Run and the Fairfax County line, and extending back to South George Mason Drive. The original community, established in 1941, was a planned development of single-family homes built to serve as housing for wartime Pentagon workers. Soon after WWII, more single-family homes were built, continuing the original plan. Starting in the 50’s, apartments and condominiums were built along Columbia Pike adding more housing options. The ownership of the houses in the original development subsequently passed to new residents who would like to preserve the character of the community.
History
In 1669, a sea captain, Robert Howson, was given a grant of 6000 acres of land for bringing 120 passengers to Virginia. The captain immediately sold the land to John Alexander, a member of the family for which the City of Alexandria is named. Subsequently, the land was divided into smaller parcels and sold. Two such parcels include what is now Columbia Forest and were sold to Stephan Gray and Gabriel Adams. In 1774, this land, equal to 1200 acres, was sold to George Washington. At Washington’s death, the land was willed to his relative, George Custis, who combined it with other family land to form the Arlington Plantation, from which the present name of the county is derived. Arlington Plantation was part of the 34 square miles of land granted by the State of Virginia to form the District of Columbia. In 1847, after almost 50 years, the land was returned to Virginia. The land was ultimately divided between the City of Alexandria and a new county named Alexandria County. In 1920, because of confusion in the names between the City of Alexandria, which was not in the County of Alexandria, the name of the county was changed to Arlington County.
Capitol Improvements
- Neighborhood Lighting and Utilities
- Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter
- Drainage Problems and Erosion
- Safety Barriers
Parks and Recreation
- Bailey’s Branch Park
- New Park Development
Please feel free to view the full plan for Columbia Forest.
Please feel free to visit the Columbia Forest Civic Association website.
