Boulevard Manor has been occupied for nearly 200 years and is a family-oriented neighborhood with many different attractions. Native American presence in the neighborhood is thought to be true due to found artifacts in the Powhatan Springs area, however there is no way to be certain.
Although much of our community was developed from land owned by the farming Reeves family, it was originally developed as land grants from the government. It originated as part of two land grants from the colonial era: one to Thomas Pearson in 1707 of 660 acres and the other to John Ball in 1742 of 166 acres. Thomas Pearson died before 1730 and left his grant to his son, Simon, who in turn left it to his son, Thomas. No one lived on the land until 1740 and 1741 when Thomas Pearson leased the land for the purpose of getting it seated, cleared, and cultivated. The land was then passed down to his son.
Meanwhile, it is believed John Ball built a log cabin soon after he received his grant in 1742. Mr Ball raised corn, wheat and tobacco. After his death, the 166 acre tract was sold to William Carlin, a tailor from Alexandria. William Carlin died at the age of 88 in 1820, and his widow died in 1835 before his estate could be settled. He had stipulated in his will that the land was to be divided into lots and sold, the proceeds to be divided between his wife and seven living children. It was difficult to find buyers for the small lots and his will was not settled until twenty-eight years after his death.
The lots were eventually sold off and ranch-style houses were developed on the land. Now, Boulevard Manor is a bustling area great for family living. It holds many places of interest, such as Upton Hill Regional Park, Bluemont Park, Dominion Hills Swimming Pool, Powhatan Springs Skatepark, and Ashlawn Elementary School.
Then and Now:
Powhatan Springs, once a surrounded by Native American artifacts, was a spring whose water was distributed and sold. Now the small spout to the spring exists alongside Arlington's concrete and modern skatepark.
Wilson Boulevard has remained one of the main means of transportation throughout Arlington since the 1800's. Although centuries ago it spanned just one lane, the boulevard is now two lanes wide.
Reevesland was once the farmhouse occupied by the Reeves family. Now, the old house is preserved at the scenic Bluemont Park, which was once the Reeve family's farm.
http://www.boulevardmanor.org/history.htm
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