Stewart Elementary School, erected in 1938, was located at 2400 N. Underwood Street, and named for Charles E. Stewart, a noted civic leader of East Falls Church.
It was rare to name a school in Arlington for a living person, but an exception was made in Mr. Stewart’s case. At the school’s dedication, Dr. Henry Knowles of the East Falls Church Citizens Association, said “. . . this school was not named for Mr. Stewart so much for what he did as for what he is. . . this school was named for character.”
In 1953 Tuckahoe Elementary School was built nearby at 6550 N. 26th Street. Third and fourth graders stayed at the old Stewart school while kindergartners, 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th graders attended Tuckahoe. Students of both schools visited the library, attended assemblies and had hot lunches at Tuckahoe. In 1971, Stewart school was given to the Recreation Department. Today, the former site of Stewart School is Charles E. Stewart Park with a multi-use field, playground basketball court, gazebo and wooded grassy area.
What About You?
Did you go to Stewart or Tuckahoe Elementary? Did you use Stewart when it belonged to the Recreation Department? Let us know what you remember!