Dairy farming in Arlington? Why yes, Virginia, there once was such a thing. In fact, Arlington was home to a number of dairy farms in years past, with one of the best known being the Reeves farm.
Photo of George Reed moving logs in 1949 on the Reeves farm (note the different last name, which could be a typo or just a different generation with a last name change through marriage).
George Reeves feeding chickens, no date.
Purchased in 1866 as a 160-acre farm by William H. Torreyson, the property stretched west of Four Mile Run and south of Wilson Boulevard, extending beyond Route 50 to Glen Carlyn Road. The farm was later operated by Torreyson's daughter, Lucy, and her husband George Reeves from 1898-1949; their son Nelson Reeves was made a partner in 1924. Nelson and his wife, Louise, kept the farm in operation until its final shipment of milk in July 1955 marked the end of dairy farming in Arlington.
The Reeves family continued to reside on the property, gradually selling off land as the county's population grew. After Nelson Reeves passed away in 2000 at the age of 90, ten members of his family sought to have the farmhouse preserved, eventually resulting in its designation as a historic district. Shown in the photograph above, Reevesland, as it is now known, provides a unique link to Arlington's agricultural heritage, and preserves a valuable family legacy for present day residents to enjoy and appreciate
What About You?
Do you have any recollections regarding the Reeves farm or other dairies in Arlington? Let us know what you remember!
Listen to the 2011 WAMU story on Reeves farm.
I have a milk bottle cap from Glen Carlyn Dairy Farm, G.L. Hummer,prop. from Clarendon, Virginia and I am interested in the history of same. I will share a scan when contacted.
Charlie
Charlie,
You should receive an email from the Center for Local History shortly – thank you!