Fairfax Citys Country Club Hills seems from another era

Where We Live | Country Club Hills in Fairfax

Neighbors keep up with one another through a Yahoo group, welcoming committee and social activities.

Judy Fraser describes Fairfax City’s Country Club Hills as a “Goldilocks” type of neighborhood.

“The homes are big enough, but not too big. Close enough, but not too close. And, people are interested and concerned, but not to the point of interfering,” said Fraser, a designer, nine-year resident and president of the Country Club Hills Civic Association.

Most homes there are L-shaped, 1,300-square-foot brick ramblers with window walls across the back, a finished basement and a carport. The culturally and generationally diverse community, established in 1954, still has a mid-century flavor.

“It almost feels circa an older decade; it calls like-minded people willing to live in a 1950s-era home with no big master bathroom or walk-in closet,” said financial professional Dia Pullen, an 18-year resident.

“Our kids can free roam around the neighborhood because everyone knows everyone,” Pullen added. “We’re bordered by creeks, churches, schools, a police station and a 7-Eleven. It’s safe and very attractive to kids.”

Helping each other: Neighbors congregate at the Commons, a parkland that backs to Accotink Creek. Events there range from barbecues to ice cream socials and gatherings for Sunday evening neighborhood strolls. "At every event, I see at least three new faces, and that always makes me happy," said Pullen, the association's vice president of social activities.

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The association encourages strong neighborhood connections. It has an active Yahoo group, a welcoming committee and a neighbor-to-neighbor group dedicated to helping neighbors in need.

Margarita Diaz, a pet store employee and 19-year resident, described the sense of community: “People aren’t just your neighbors, they’re your friends.” The neighborhood also takes pride in how it looks, supporting a Community Appearance Committee and a Garden Club that presents landscaping awards.

Historic graffiti: The neighborhood was once part of a farm owned by the Wilcoxon family. During the Civil War, the family's circa-1859 brick farmhouse, Blenheim, was occupied by Union troops who left personal writings — including art, war observations, even poetry — on the walls.

Long-time resident and retired graphic designer Bob Pratt, the association’s historian, noted that in the 1990s developers tried to build townhouses on the Blenheim site, but residents successfully fought the plan.

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“It could have been disastrous,” said Pratt. “Many of the older residents who grew up here used to play at the [Blenheim] barn. There’s kind of a feeling that it’s ours.”

Today, Blenheim House — and its historically inscribed walls — remains intact on 12 acres of parkland shared with the Blenheim Civil War Interpretive Center.

Living there: Country Club Hills includes approximately 320 single-family homes on 135 acres in Zip code 22030. It's roughly bordered by Spring Lake Terrace and St. Leo's Catholic Church to the west, Spring Lake Terrace to the north, Fairfax High School to the east and Old Lee Highway to the south.

In the past 12 months, 11 properties were sold, ranging from a four-bedroom home for $405,000 to a five-bedroom for $591,500, according to former resident and real estate agent Joe Estabrooks with Century 21. Currently, there is one property for sale, for $624,900. Two properties are under contract, for $489,700 and $549,900.

Schools: Daniels Run Elementary, Lanier Middle and Fairfax High.

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: The City-University Energysaver (CUE) bus system has stops along Old Lee Highway, connecting the neighborhood with other parts of the city and George Mason University. The Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro stations is about 2

miles away. Interstate 66 is just north of the community.

What's nearby: Many residents walk to the Fairfax City's Main Street hub, which features a library, restaurants and shops. Also within walking distance are a swimming pool, the Army Navy Country Club, several parks and walking/biking trails.

Crime: The City of Fairfax Police Department reported there were no violent crimes committed in Country Club Hills between May 1, 2014 and May 1, 2015.

Cheryl A. Kenny is a freelance writer.

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