Boulevard Manor History

The neighborhood of Boulevard Manor is centered around the former farmlands of the Reeves family. The Reeves family farmed their land in Arlington since the 1870s up to the 1980’s, ultimately holding 160 acres. The property stretched west of Four Mile Run and south of Wilson Boulevard, extending beyond Route 50 to Glen Carlyn Road. It was later operated by Torreyson’s daughter, Lucy, and her husband, George Reeves, from 1898-1949. Their son, Nelson Reeves, was made a partner on the farm in 1924, the third generation of family to work that land. He and his wife, Louise Reeves, kept the farm running until July 1955, when it released its last shipment of milk. But the Reeves family stayed on their property, selling off land as the county’s population grew.
By the 1950s, Nelson Reeves opted to retire, selling much of the property for the development of the Boulevard Manor community that now surrounds the farmhouse, not far south of Wilson Boulevard.The county government purchased the Reevesland property in 2001, shortly after Nelson Reeves’ death just a few weeks shy of his 100th birthday. The 140-year-old Reeves farmhouse is now a protected historical site in Arlington.
From the 1950’s to the 1970’s, farmers in the Boulevard Manor area began to sell off acres of land. As the farms shrank, hundreds of new houses covered much of Boulevard Manor. In 1955, construction began on Ashlawn Elementary School, which remains the main elementary school for many children in the neighborhood. Churches and parks also appeared as the neighborhood grew. Bluemont Park, established from the 20 acres of the Reeves property condemned by the County in 1954, has become a favorite gathering point for people from across the county.

• “Boulevard Manor: Our Community Heritage From Land Grant to Subdivision." Boulevard Manor Historical Society. www.boulevardmanor.org/history.htm (accessed May 24, 2011).
  


• McCafferey, Scott. "Sun Gazette Newspapers - from Archives - Parent Life > Family Living." Sun Gazette Newspapers. http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2011/05/21/parent_life/family_living/p990f.txt (accessed June 6, 2011).
  


• Cornibert, Stefan. "Reevesland Preserved." Connection Newspapers - Main Page. http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=232956&paper=60&cat=104 (accessed June 6, 2011).