Back in the early 1940s, when many civilians came to Fort Belvoir to work and live, my parents were among them, and my dad worked as a mechanic for the Army. We lived on the post near route one in an area called Gray's Hill Village — named after a Civil War General — now the NCO Club, is where our unit was located.
I attended the schools on base because at the time they were run by Fairfax County, and I have many memories of the families we met and the children I grew up with. Some of them are still in the area. As we all did in 1956-57, we had to leave the spot because housing was closed to civilians and that is how I arrived in Lorton.
We have seen so many changes in this area and if you will follow me I will give you some of the ones I remember.
* Route One was a two-lane road that had very few houses from Belvoir north and very few south to Woodbridge. At this time, I lived in a rental property that belonged to Dr. Phillips and was located next to the Occoquan River, we were next to the hog farm for the prison and watched the inmates do all of the farming and raising of their gardens and livestock. We even were allowed to pick fresh fruits that hung over the fences along Lorton Road. I can remember seeing some of the inmates walk out to clean the ditches and repair the roads and bridges, etc. and when we walked by, they would say "do you all need any beans, corn or squash" and we then had some fresh veggies to take to mom. Lorton Road also took us to the heart of Lorton, which contained the post office and store, and the Springman House that is behind the Shell Station now. The thing I miss the most is that it was always safe and fun to meet friends after school or walk to someone's house and not be afraid to be on the back roads and the parents did not have to worry and knew where we were.
* In the summer of 1957, we moved to Accotink just off Route 1 below Fort Belvoir on Backlick Road — this was part of Lorton and had a Lorton address. We rented a small house from the Frances who built three rentals and their house from leftover materials found at the Belvoir stumpdump. During our time there, we still met school buddies and families that were in Lorton proper and would go swimming in the Pohick Creek or fishing on the neck or in Accotink Creek. We even camped out in pup tents where Davidson Airfield is now.
I have been setting here thinking of the families that have come and gone and the kids we knew and things we did. I think the newcomers in the new areas of Lorton would truly be proud of what has gone before and the hardships the residents faced by having a tag place on this beautiful area as the Lorton prison, this has never been a true statement, it was the Lorton Reformatory.
Many of the residents that moved from the area are still amazed at what we have become when they visit. Many of them have worked countless hours to make sure that the quality of life for all of us — I still live here — has not been totally lost. To all who have been, I say thanks, and to those who are coming or are considered new, keep letting everyone and anyone who asks, "where do you live?" just smile and say, "Lorton, one of the nicest areas in Northern Virginia."
Always be proud of what we have become. If you ever have the time to check out where the historic sites are located and find things like where the Missile Site was in Lorton or who were the Lindseys, Wards, Beaches, Nevitts, Doves, Harleys, and what did they do in Lorton.
I am very proud of Lorton and have been for over 63 years. My children have grown up here and one still lives in Lorton. I hope that all who are here now will be glad and enjoy the area as I have.