Banks Family Home

Here is the text from a nearby historical marker:

Olander Banks Sr. and Margaret Lomax Banks purchased this property in 1957. It was then an open gravel lot. Mrs. Banks suggested to her husband that they build a home at this site. Here they built the 27-room home where they raised their nine children, and for over four decades, they made it a peaceful oasis for family and friends.

In the face of intense surrounding development, Olander Banks, Sr. was inspired to be "One with the Dream" and share the family estate with Fairfax County. The Fairfax County Park Authority established the Olander Banks, Sr. and Margaret Lomax Banks Community Park in August 2001. Through his giving spirit and faith, Olander Banks, Sr. has ensured that this will remain a special place for future generations to enjoy.


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Here follows an excerpt from the "Atlas Obscura" website about the home:

Home to a 27 room house, this estate was crafted by Black entrepreneur Olander Banks Sr.

From ice sales and real estate to taxi cabs and trucking, Olander Banks was a man of many trades and a true entrepreneur. He eventually found his calling in the auto parts business and opened a highly popular store in Alexandria, Virginia.

Banks married his childhood sweetheart, Margaret or “Margaree” as she was known to loved ones in 1941. They purchased the property on which the house and park now exist in 1957, and in 1961, they began construction on a large house with 27 rooms in which they raised their six sons and nine daughters.

Before his passing, Banks decided to honor his wife by sharing the estate with the local community. In 2001, the land was given to the Fairfax County Park Authority to develop as a place for recreation and contemplation.

The giving spirit of the Banks family lives on in this serene suburban sanctuary.

Know Before You Go:

A small gravel pull-off along Old Telegraph Road near the Banks Community Park sign provides a few parking spaces.

The house is not presently open to visitors, but is interesting to explore from the outside. The expansive property is generally not heavily trafficked. There are a few picnic tables and a couple of grills near the parking lot perfect for hungry park patrons.


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Here follows an article from the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter written by Sue Patterson and published by the Franconia Museum in 2005:

Olander Banks, Sr. grew up in the City of Alexandria. As a boy, he would get up at 4 A.M. to hit the streets selling ice. In 1957, he and his wife Margaret Lomax Banks purchased a 10-acre tract on Old Telegraph Road (at the corner of Old Telegraph Road and Hayfield Road) in 1957. This land was nothing more than an open gravel lot. The couple built a 27 room house to enjoy with their nine children after adding 1,000 loads of fill dirt. Today this property is surrounded by the Kingstowne and Hayfield Community.

This 10 acre tract was originally given or sold to Jane Carroll, a freed slave, about 1850 by the Johnson Family of West Grove Plantation. This property was the cornerstone of the eventual expansion of land ownership by the Carroll family in the present day Kingstowne area until the early 1900's.

In July 2001, Mr. and Mrs. Banks sold their estate to the Fairfax County Park Authority for less than two thirds of its appraised value. This new Olander and Margaret Banks Community Park will serve the local neighborhoods and be an example of the perseverance and legacy of our African-American community for over 150 years.

In 2001 Mr, Banks was presented with the Elly Doyle Park Service award for his generous service to the community. Mr. Banks is also a founder and business sponsor of the Franconia Museum.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Spring 2011 edition of the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

IN MEMORIAM
Olander Banks Sr.,
June 30, 1922 - January 11, 2011

Olander Banks Sr., devoted husband and father was born June 30, 1922 in Danville VA, to the late Annetta Richardson and Algie H. Banks. The family moved to Alexandria, VA in 1924 where Olander grew up at 934 North Columbus Street with his five brothers and one sister.

In 1941, Olander married his childhood sweetheart, Margaret Lomax. From this union they had six sons: Olander Jr., Cardell, Michael, Gregory, Ronald and Kenneth: three daughters, Deborah Williams, Bernadette Banks and Carolyn Summers. He leaves one dear sister, Ernestine B. Lipscomb and one sister-in-law, Doris Banks; two daughters-in-law, Ernice Banks and Octavia Banks; two sons-in-law, Alvin T. Williams and Hosea L. Summers; 25 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends.

Olander was a successful businessman. As a young boy growing up in the City of Alexandria, Olander would get up at 4:00 a.m. to sell ice. He also worked with several local businesses in the City of Alexandria. A few of his employers were: The City of Alexandria, National Airport, Torpedo Factory, and the Washington Gas Company. Having an entrepreneurial spirit, Olander first started buying homes in Alexandria and renting them out. He also established the Zero Cab taxi service and afterwards, his trucking business in 1952. A short time later, Banks Auto Parts at 718 North Henry Street in Alexandria was established. This business would provide means for his family, careers for many brothers, cousins, a large number of family members and friends. Olander moved his business to Prince William County (now resided as Potomac Mills Mall), then he relocated once again to Spotsylvania, VA in the late 1980’s before he decided to retire in 2000.

In 1958, Olander purchased a ten acre tract in Fairfax County, VA. This is where he, along with his late wife Margaret, would raise their nine children. For over 40 years, the family would enjoy Fourth of July celebrations, family reunions, graduations, birthday parties, weddings, receptions and celebrations of all types. For generations, Olander hosted friends and family. On March 14, 1996, his beloved wife, Margaret, was called home to rest, ending a 54 year loving union of marriage. Olander continued on without the bride of his youth.

Later in August 2001, despite many offers for his beautiful estate, Olander wanted to do something far greater that would benefit the community. Under a mutual agreement with Fairfax County Park Authority, the home has become the Margaret Lomax and Olander Banks, Sr. Community Park in Kingstowne, VA. For his generosity to the community, Olander was presented with the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Elly Doyle Park Service Award.

Olander retired in 2000 to have more quality time at home. He would spend his quiet days reminiscing of the good old days with his family and friends and swimming in his pool. He and his sister, Ernestine, would spend every Friday together and often Bernadette would bring them both lunch and they would eat, talk and laugh about the old times. On November 11, 2001, Olander joined First Agape Baptist Community of Faith Church and was baptized on November 26, 2002.

Olander was truly a remarkable man. He loved to fish, and working with his hands doing remarkable landscaping. This was evident if you ever walked the grounds of the home. He built his home himself along with a few faithful friends. His masterpiece was the design of his rock garden that he created himself. Olander succeeded against all odds. He loved his family and would do anything he could to help anyone that was in need. Olander would often say, “Do good, and good will be rewarded to you.”