The Neighborhood Files

Overlooked: Potomac Yard History

A peek at things in the neighborhood you might miss at first glance.

By Drew Hansen
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January 4, 2013

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Historical panels at Potomac Yard.

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This week, Del Ray Patch is taking a look at some of the historical markers and other things that might be overlooked in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Just east of Del Ray, the development at Potomac Yard is quickly coming on line. Pulte, the developer, isn’t doing so without a nod to the past.

A plaza located on Main Line Boulevard next to the Pulte sales office contains a series of historical displays telling the history of the Yard and its immediate area, including Del Ray. There’s a focus on transportation, which has greatly shaped the area’s evolution. At the bottom of each panel, a timeline breaks out the important dates of things like the opening of the Washington, Alexandria & Mount Vernon Electric Railway in 1892.

Potomac Yard Park, a 21-acre linear park currently being built on the eastern edge of the development, will also incorporate historical elements into is amenities.

More Overlooked:

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Related Topics: Potomac Yard

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Leslie Hagan

9:32 am on Friday, January 4, 2013

Are they going to include the fact that Potomac Yard enjoyed the designation as a Super Fund site until it mariculously wasn't? Or how the favorite herbicide used to keep the tracks and fences weed free was a spray with liquid arsenic? Something used till the train yard was closed?

Joseph M.

11:45 am on Friday, January 4, 2013

I'm interested in what you mean re: "until it miraculously wasn't".

Wasn't the site remediated? Soil removed, buildings dismantled (clearly), and storm water managed? Are you saying we should still have significant concerns? I did a quick google search and didn't see much to be concerned about.

Kevin Beekman

12:59 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013

The history of the environmental remediations would make a great historical interpretive sign. There's a good deal of that information here:
http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/super/sites/VAD020312013/