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Fun in the Forest (Historical Marker)

GPS Coordinates: 38.8224487, -77.0814377
Closest Address: 3210 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302

Fun in the Forest (Historical Marker)

Here follows the inscription written on this trailside historical marker:

Fun in the Forest
Alexandria Heritage Trail

This forest has long been a natural playground for children growing up in the area. The woods around the village extended to Quaker Lane and Janney's Lane. During World War II, when the Chinquapin Village children took a break from playing ball in the summers, they would come into the woods and swim in Taylor Run. Jerry Sare grew up in the Village. His vivid memory captured a snapshot of the time: "There used to be a couple of nice holes down there in the creek where we could swim...They had big cliffs that went up to the top of the hill...to King Street. We'd get ropes up in these trees and swing around and drop down."

Children used natural materials along Taylor Run for their enjoyment. Elizabeth Henry Douglas remembered that the bank of the stream provided public clay: "We used to mold it, make dolls and everything else! She and her friends also used clay for an instant treat, "clay cookies." She recounted that the "clay bank that we used to eat out of was simply delicious with a "sour tang" taste.

Erected by City of Alexandria, Virginia.


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[Captions:]
Children growing up in Alexandria before the 1950s often swam in the natural swimming holes in the many streams.
Library of Congress

One of the Chinquapin Village children, Brice Warthen, sitting on the steps of his home during World War II.
Courtesy of Brice Warthen.

Formatting:
The formatting from the marker has been used verbatim, even where inconsistent, including the missing quotation mark in the second paragraph.

ABOUT ME

Award-winning local historian and tour guide in Franconia and the greater Alexandria area of Virginia.

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ADDRESS

Nathaniel Lee

c/o Franconia Museum

6121 Franconia Road

Alexandria, VA 22310

franconiahistory@gmail.com

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