Glencarlyn Neighborhood Tour

Ball-Sellers House, 5620 3rd St S

The original log cabin structure is believed to be the oldest house still standing in Arlington. It was built about 1750 by John Ball and had one room with a loft and a lean-to room. In 1880 a large addition was built on the west side of the original structure. The house is owned by the Arlington Historical Society. The grounds are open to the public and under normal conditions tours of the cabin are open in the warm weather. A "window" on the east side exposes some of the original log wall. Archaeological work circa 2016 identified the footprint of the lean-to structure that had been on the east side.

General Burdett House, 5627 3rd St S

This house was built in the late 1880s as General Burdett's weekend retreat from his home in Washington DC. General Burdett founded the nearby library that is now the Glencarlyn Public Library.

Glencarlyn Public Library, 300 S Kensington St

General Burdett bequeathed his book collection, the land, and $3,000 for a public library upon his death in 1914. The original wooden structure was built in 1922 and replaced by the present structure in 1963.

Glencarlyn Library Community Garden

This wonderful community garden is cared for by a dedicated team of volunteers, many of them Master Gardeners.

Carlin Hall Playground

This playground is situated in between Carlin Hall and the Library building.

Ball-Carlin Cemetery

This was the family burial ground of the Carlin family, and reportedly the lot still belongs to the heirs of the family.

St. John's Episcopal Church, 415 S Lexington St

The first church was built here in 1910. The current structure was built in 1956-57 with a south wing added in 1960.

Trailhead to Nature Center

A short footpath heads from the end of S Jefferson Street downhill to the Long Branch Nature Center.

Public Access Footpath to Meadow

From the gravel southward extension of S Illinois Street a public path angles to the right to access the Meadow from 5th Street S.

The Glencarlyn Coyote

This unusual coyote was regularly seen for many weeks in the Spring and Summer of 2021. The area near 5th St S and its intersection with S Illinois St seemed to be a favorite spot for this fascinating animal.

The Meadow

This area is a managed wildlife meadow, part of the Nature Center. This plot of land was rescued from development by a community purchase in 1970 and purchased by the County in 1971 to add to the park. Neighbors mow a loop path around the meadow.

Site of the Old School, in the Park just east of the end of 4th St

A few foundation stones remain at this site of the old community school, which was abandoned after approximately 1916. The northeast and southeast corners are visible from the unpaved unofficial trail that parallels S Harrison St between 3rd and 4th.

3rd Street Park Vehicle Entrance

This vehicle entrance leads to Pavilion 2, which has EXTREMELY limited parking. The road is steep, winding, and narrow. Consider parking at the nearby Overflow Parking lot. There is NOT a vehicle connection from Pavilion 2 to Pavilion 1 and the Dog Park, which must be accessed from 4th Street.

Glencarlyn Old-Growth Forest

A section of old trees in the park has been designated as the " Glencarlyn Park Old-Growth Forest " by the  Old-Growth Forest Network .

Overflow Parking area

Gravel lot provides additional parking and park access.

4th Street Park Vehicle Entrance

This road leads to Pavilion 1, a general picnic area, and the Dog Park. The road is steep, winding, and narrow. A fair amount of parking is available. There is NOT a vehicle connection between sites accessed on this road and Pavilion 2 which is accessed from 3rd Street.

Picnic Pavilion 1

Also more tables along Long Branch nearby. Some limited parking. Accessed by a narrow, steep, curving road off 4th Street S.

George Washington Survey Point Monument

The monument is where once stood a White Oak tree that George Washington used as a survey point by the confluence of Long Branch and Four Mile Run. A section of the long-gone oak tree is in the Library. The monument was erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1914, bearing the inscription "On this spot stood an Oak Tree bearing a survey mark made by George Washington, which became a monumental survey mark named in many deeds." A modern wall was built to help protect against flooding.

Footbridge Across Four Mile Run by Dog Park

This footbridge was washed away in catastrophic flash flooding July 8, 2019. Update: A new bridge was completed and opened in March 2022. The total project cost was approximately $440,000. This bridge connects the park/nature center trails network to the Four Mile Run and W&OD Trails on the north side of Four Mile Run.

Glencarlyn Dog Park

Parking is very limited. But there is more parking near Picnic Pavilion 1. Dog park users should be aware that off-leash dogs are only permitted within the designated area.

Glencarlyn Park Playground

This new playground is accessed by the Four Mile Run paved trail. The W&OD Railroad Trail also passes just above.

Washed-out Footbridge 2

Unfortunately this footbridge was washed away in catastrophic flash flooding July 8, 2019. At this writing it appears that Arlington County does not plan to rebuild this bridge.

The Glencarlyn Mystery Pit

This is, literally, a hole in the ground along the Four Mile Run trail. It's unknown who made it, when, or why. But it is fairly large and deep. Civil War remnant? Mining prospect pit? Meteor crater? If anyone knows more about it, please let us know!

Picnic Pavilion 2

Recently rebuilt, the site of the famous annual Glencarlyn Pancake Breakfast. A bathroom is adjacent. Parking is very limited. Access is by a steep, narrow, curving road from 3rd Street S.

W&OD High Bridge over Four Mile Run

The Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad was built in the 1850s and operated intermittently from 1859 through 1968. Dominion Energy acquired the right-of-way and runs transmission lines along much of its length. The Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority (NoVA Parks) acquired rights in 1977 and established the W&OD Trail for walkers, runners, and bikers that extends almost 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville. These bridge abutments date in part to the 1800s but of course the current bridge structure is recent. See more at  History of the Trail .

Confluence of Lubber Run and Four Mile Run

Tucked away a few feet from the W&OD, Lubber Run flows into Four Mile Run here.

Carlin Springs

This is the original site of the Carlin Springs. Remnants of old springheads are located near the historical marker.

2nd Street Walk/Bike Park Entrance

This paved trail entrance point offers the most direct access to the W&OD Trail and the historic Carlin Springs site. Warning: VERY steep grade!

Unnamed Intermittent Stream

This tiny stream descends from the corner of 2nd Street S and S Jefferson to flow past the Carlin Springs into Four Mile Run. The deep gorge it has cut demonstrates the impacts of heavy rains and excessive runoff from all the impervious surfaces above in the neighborhood. The water has eroded deeply until it has reached resistant bedrock.

Entrance to Nature Center access road

At the bottom of the hill on S Carlin Springs Road, an access road leads both to the medical offices and to Long Branch Nature Center. The road is narrow (one lane in places) with limited sight lines and wildlife and pedestrians.

The Long Branch Culverts

As Long Branch flows eastward, it passes under S. Carlin Springs Road through large twin culverts, shown here from the east side at the bottom of Long Branch Gorge.

Scenic Long Branch Gorge

Between the medical offices and Campbell Elementary, Long Branch flows through a mini-gorge. The banks are steep and it isn't visible from the access road, so you need to be on foot and a bit venturesome.

Campbell Elementary Playground

The school has a large playground that is open outside of school hours.

Willow Pond

This little pond is a man-made vernal pool. In the early Spring it is a hot spot for breeding amphibians, especially Wood Frogs. The pond is allowed to dry out in the late summer to keep invasive species out.

Monarch Waystation

A small native plant meadow across the access road from Willow Pond.

"Salamander Creek"

This small stream is informally named Salamander Creek. It is fed by the Moses Ball Spring and a headwaters with the storm sewer system near the intersection of 5th Road S and Kensington. The stream empties into Long Branch and provides the water source for Willow Pond. The access road to the Nature Center bridges the creek near Willow Pond.

Long Branch Nature Center parking lot

The parking lot has about 20 spaces and does fill on busy days. The pay parking garage for the medical offices closer to S Carlin Springs Road can be used for overflow parking.

Long Branch Stream

Long Branch stream runs in a generally west-to-east direction from its headwaters approximately underneath the Home Depot at Seven Corners to its confluence with Four Mile Run in Glencarlyn Park. Much of the western portion is channelized within a concrete canal, ending before it enters Arlington County and passes under S Carlin Springs Road. The stream goes through 2 large culverts under the road and enters the scenic "Long Branch Gorge" in between Campbell Elementary and the medical offices and garage. Much of the lower stream is lined with large boulders called rip-rap that were brought in to help reduce erosion during floods. Flash floods are frequent because so much of the watershed is roofed and paved over. The lower part of the stream from near the Long Branch Nature Center building and downstream to near the dog park has several small but pleasant mini-waterfalls. There are 2 low concrete bridges for the walk-bike path that parallels the stream. Arlington has a separate, unrelated "Long Branch" in the southeastern part of the county.

Long Branch Nature Center

The original building was the residence of Ida Mae Hickman, who was known in the neighborhood as "The Bird Lady." She was a pioneer wildlife rehabilitator and co-author of Care of the Wild Feathered and Furred, originally published in 1973. The County bought the home and 6 acres from Mrs. Hickman and her husband during the period 1963-66. The County appropriated $30,000 to develop the residence into the county's second nature center (after Gulf Branch). The Center was dedicated in November 1972. The building houses wildlife exhibits, and pre-school indoor playroom, offices, a classroom, and wildlife rehabilitation facilities specializing in turtles.

Native Wildflower Garden

Nature Center staff and volunteers, including Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists, maintain this garden of native plants that are attractive to pollinators and other wildlife.

Bird Enclosure

This enclosure behind the nature center building currently holds Aggie the Fish Crow.

Long Branch Nature Center Amphitheater

Also has a fire pit for park-organized campfire events. Rebuilt circa 2018. This site also was the historic "Drop Site Lewis" in the infamous Robert Hanssen spy case.

Drop Site Lewis for Spy Robert Hanssen

This is arguably Glencarlyn's most infamous site! In February 2001 two Russian agents hid $50,000 in used $100 bills under the rear left corner of the stage at the old Long Branch amphitheater. This was intended to be a payment for their spy, Robert Hanssen, who himself worked for the FBI. This site was called "Drop Site LEWIS." The FBI retrieved the money, did evidence work on it remotely, and then put it back and kept the location under surveillance. Ultimately Hanssen never retrieved his money and was arrested when he was observed hiding classified documents for the Russians at a different drop site.

See for more information:

 FBI -- Robert Hanssen Case 

The first image is credit the FBI:  http://www.fbi.gov/libref/historic/famcases/hanssen/hanssen.htm 

as accessed in July 2005. Unfortunately the image is no longer available on the FBI website.

Poplar Pond

This pond is a popular spot for watching turtles, frogs, and dragonflies in warm weather. It has a small boardwalk and two viewing platforms. It does have a problem with invasive, non-native Goldfish and we ask visitors NOT to add anything else to the pond. And please don't feed the wildlife.

Young Children's Play Area

A small nature play area for very young children a few feet from the Nature Center building near the Long Branch stream. There are two musical devices for children (or adults) to play with. And a blackboard and sand pit.

"Dome Home"

Dome Home was a temporary artwork built in 2011. One photo from summer 2014 shows the remains of two domes which already are decomposing and washing away, as intended. Ten years later, only the sign remains.

Unnamed Intermittent Stream

An unnamed intermittent stream flows (sometimes) starting from behind the houses on the 500 block of S Jefferson St and below the Meadow southward to just west of the Nature Center building and into Long Branch.

Tree Walls

Our area has been hit by a number of major storms, including Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and the derecho in 2012, plus various strong thunderstorms. These events have brought down many large trees in the park, some snapped off, many others uprooted. When a large tree is uprooted, it can leave a pit in the ground and a "wall" of its spreading root system attached to the fallen trunk. A good example is two trees that the derecho brought down above the nature center building. The exposed soil provides nesting habitat for small native bees which are important pollinators.

Campbell Elementary School

Campbell's self-description:

Our Approach

Campbell is a choice school within Arlington Public Schools. The state of Virginia determines what we teach through the Standards of Learning (SOLs). Campbell varies in its approach. Our school uses project-based learning to teach the curriculum.

In 2007, Campbell became an  EL  school.   EL Education  focuses on student centered learning, authentic tasks, and student reflection. Our beautiful grounds, situated next to Long Branch Nature Center and Glencarlyn Park, also contribute to our outdoor focus.Our MissionOur mission is to provide a respectful community where all children are celebrated and encouraged to achieve and grow.

Our Vision

At Campbell School, we challenge one another to think critically and take active roles in our mutual learning. We strive to make meaningful contributions to our diverse community based on our learning. Students demonstrate learning not only through assessments, but also through rich tasks, projects, field work, reflection and exhibition showcases. Trust, respect, responsibility and joy in learning are at the heart of our school culture.

Our History

Campbell Elementary School was named after Edmund and Elizabeth Campbell. Both Edmund and Elizabeth Campbell fought to desegregate Arlington schools. Elizabeth Campbell was a School Board member and champion for special education services. She later founded WETA.

Enrollment is about 450 students (grades pre-K through 5).

[Prior to December 2000, the school was named Glencarlyn Elementary School. (SY)]

Moses Ball Grant Historical Marker

[Need description although the marker text is pretty self-explanatory]

Moses Ball Spring

This obscure site is on the grounds of the former Northern Virginia Doctors Hospital/Virginia Hospital Urgent Care facility, now owned by Arlington County. The Glencarlyn community built the little spring house structure and placed the small plaque. The spring was water source for Moses Ball's cabin nearby, possibly in the vicinity of today's 5700 block of 5th Road S, circa 1745. Moses Ball Spring is a water source for "Salamander Creek" which flows into Long Branch at the bottom of the hill.

The Sledding Hill

This grassy hillside on the east side of the former hospital and current medical offices has been a popular (but UNOFFICIAL) sledding hill for decades!

Carlin Springs Elementary School

[official APS description as of September 2021]

Carlin Springs Elementary School serves an international community of children Pre-K through grade five. The school’s primary mission is to teach and empower students to be lifelong learners. As a national award-winning community school, Carlin Springs’ school facility is used as a base to support students and their families with the help of thirty business and community partners.

Carlin Springs’ instructional program is challenging and enriching. Differentiated instruction allows teachers to meet the diverse needs of students by planning instruction that is responsive to their readiness, interests and learning styles. Conscious Discipline skills and Brain Smart Starts foster a safe environment and promote wise decision-making. A strong technology program includes a STEM Lab funded by a Verizon grant and many interactive and innovative learning opportunities for all students. Class size ratios are small, and learning is extended through over twenty-five after-school enrichment clubs and tutoring sessions. The school offers a wide variety of opportunities for parental involvement.

Enrollment is about 500 students. The current facility opened in 2002, the first new school in Arlington in 25 years.

Southwest 7 DC Boundary Stone

The original District of Columbia was a 10 mile by 10 mile square in a diamond orientation with the corners pointing North-South East-West. Boundary stones were placed every mile. What now is Arlington was part of the original District of Columbia! This is the original Stone 7 of the southwest boundary. In the "Alexandria Retrocession of 1846" the land on the east side of the Potomac was returned to Virginia. Eventually much of it became today's Arlington County. This stone was placed in 1791. Benjamin Banneker, a free Black man, played a key part in the 1791 survey work, establishing the anchor point for the South corner at Jones Point by Alexandria.

Notable White Oak Tree

This old White Oak has been designated a Notable Tree by Arlington County.

Kenmore Middle School

Kenmore's self-description:

Kenmore Middle School

Kenmore Middle School (grades 6-8) is an arts and technology focus school that is powered by STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math). The academic curriculum is enhanced by innovative approaches to learning where students work on shared tasks that integrate art and technology into instruction. Kenmore celebrates its focus with performances throughout the year for music, drama, and dance, as well as the annual Coffeehouse, Art & Jazz Showcase, Science Night, and Focus Fest.

Kenmore students have won Scholastic Art Awards at the national level, presented science research papers to the Virginia Academy of Sciences, competed in oratorical contests and the National Latin Exam, and earned top honors at music festivals for band, choir, and orchestra. They have also completed many community service projects.

Kenmore’s focus has evolved over the past 24 years and now includes a STEAM certification pathway to guide course selection for those students interested in STEAM-related classes such as Robotics. Each year Kenmore has students who continue this pursuit in high school at Arlington Tech, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, or Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Kenmore is an inclusive school community where families are engaged and valued. Parent workshops and support groups are hosted by the school in collaboration with the Kenmore PTA and the school division. Social and emotional development is emphasized through community service and volunteerism. The school uses a systematic approach to promoting positive behavior (PBIS). Academic intervention is supported by flexible teacher advisory groupings, as well as extra electives and after-school support.

Kenmore’s facility hosts many school and regional programs, including Harvesting Dreams—a celebration of Hispanic culture, as well as presentations by writers like New York Times bestselling author Kwamé Alexander and Presidential Photographer Pete Souza. The building underwent renovations in 2017 that now include a new fabrication lab for Design Thinking & Robotics, expanded classrooms, a retrofitted multipurpose room, additional space for physical education classes, and a community club room.

Enrollment is about 1000 students. The current facility opened in 2005, replacing an almost 50-year-old structure. Kenmore is named after the Fredericksburg, Virginia home of George Washington’s sister, Betty. 

 Enrollment is about 1000 students. The current facility opened in 2005, replacing an almost 50-year-old structure. Kenmore is named after the Fredericksburg, Virginia home of George Washington’s sister, Betty. 

Russian Signal Point Lewis for the Spy Robert Hanssen

This telephone pole (or one like it) was used by the Russians to signal for the spy Robert Hanssen that they had left a $50,000 cash drop for him at Drop Site Lewis, the Long Branch Nature Center amphitheater, in February 2001. The Russians placed a piece of white adhesive tape on the pole as the signal.

Sparrow Pond

Before around 2002, this site was known as Sparrow Swamp. Over the last 20 years, at least 3 different groups of beavers have built dams here, with a family present for much of 2021. A "beaver baffle" system was installed to keep the water level from rising too high and threatening the W&OD Trail embankment. A stormwater mitigation project in 2002 rebuilt the area to capture sediment runoff and keep it out of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In the near future (2022-23?) a new project will rebuild the site and remove the large amount of sediment that has accumulated and silted up the pond. A good site for wildlife viewing and there is a small observation platform along the W&OD Trail.

Arlington Mill and Barcroft Historical Markers

[Need description]

W&OD Trail Learning Loop

An exercise area and learning loop for beginner bicyclists along the W&OD by Columbia Pike.

Reevesland Historical Marker

[Need description]

Huffman's Falls, also known as Huffman's Whitewater

This is a nice little waterfall on Four Mile Run with a total drop of about 8 feet. While it isn't Great Falls, it's still a cool natural feature to have right next door.

Mary Carlin House Historical Marker

[Need description]

Disc Golf Course in Bluemont Park

From the  official Parks description : "Play disc golf at beautiful  Bluemont Park . The course includes hills, tight fairways, and a creek. Fun for beginners and advanced players. Free!" The parking lot is very small; more spaces are available across the road. (The course is not necessarily maintained as well as it could be.)

Parking and Park Access Point on N Carlin Springs Rd

Convenient access point near the intersection of N Carlin Springs Rd and Route 50. The parking lot has spaces for close to 20 cars.

Glencarlyn Station W&OD Trail Marker

The marker notes the approximate location of the old Glencarlyn Station along the W&OD Raiload. It can be noted that Route 50, Arlington Boulevard, did not exist until long after the station was gone. The marker is aged and needs replacement. The legend reads:

"Glencarlyn Station If you arrived here by train on a summer Sunday afternoon in the 1870s, you would find crowds of people enjoying Arlington's premier amusement park.

This wooded spot near the confluence of Four Mile Run and Lubber Run was a natural place for a park. Since the railroad's beginning in the 1850s, this had been a regular stop for steam trains replenishing their water supply from the springs.

The Carlin family, owners of the property since 1766, built the Carlin's Springs amusement park here in 1872. It offered the popular attractions of the day -- a large swimming hole, a bar, dance pavilions, and a 250-seat ice cream parlor.

In 1887 the property was sold to developers for a residential community. The Carlin family house was preserved and is open to the public as a museum." [NOTE: The Ball-Sellers House]

Cattail Pond

This little "cattail pond" is along the W&OD Trail.

The Caboose at Bluemont Junction

An old caboose and play area at a former railroad junction point along the W&OD.

Proudfit Falls along Four Mile Run

Proudfit Falls is the uppermost small waterfall along Four Mile Run. It is accessible from the W&OD Trail.