Stone Chimney on Custis Trail.

[off2ride]

Does anybody know the history of this chimney on the side of Custis Trail? If you’re riding towards DC, it’s on the left side while you’re doing a sweeping right turn approaching Lee H-way. I think that’s Lee Highway. The chimney is kind of a ways down below the trail surface so it’s a little hard to see. A few summers ago I decided to walk down there to check it out and it’s pretty much a part of a house that was once there. Anybody have any info? Just curious.

Topic

[pfunkallstar]

@off2ride 15736 wrote:

Does anybody know the history of this chimney on the side of Custis Trail? If you’re riding towards DC, it’s on the left side while you’re doing a sweeping right turn approaching Lee H-way. I think that’s Lee Highway. The chimney is kind of a ways down below the trail surface so it’s a little hard to see. A few summers ago I decided to walk down there to check it out and it’s pretty much a part of a house that was once there. Anybody have any info? Just curious.

I’ve wondered the same thing for the past twenty years! It is really a curious place to build a house since it floods pretty much every week.

[JeffC]

I was showing a friend of mine some photos of my regular commute. For some reason I had a photo of that little pond and the chimney structure. The first response my friend had was that the chimney was part of some elaborate barbeque or cooking structure. Neither of us have ever seen this structure up close so cannot say for sure.

[off2ride]

There’s probably more artifacts below Custis Trail. Just like old ruins that were buried from centuries ago but there isn’t a volcano around these parts. Dozers for the “then” housing market perhaps.

@pfunkallstar 15750 wrote:

I’ve wondered the same thing for the past twenty years! It is really a curious place to build a house since it floods pretty much every week.

[consularrider]

I know nothing about the history, but looked at the 1943 Arlington County map that was linked on another discussion. I believe site is in the lower righthand corner of plate 8. The stone chimney by the pond looks like it may have been on the land of the Cherrydale Cement Block Company.

[StopMeansStop]

Chimney structure near Hidden Pond

Kristin, a team of volunteers uncovered that fireplace in 2007 when
we did some impressive vine removal. Isn’t it wonderful? We can’t tell
if a house used to be there, or perhaps a warm-up station for the
employees at the old concrete factory there.

Anyway, the Cherrydale Parks and Open Spaces Committee think this is a
PERFECT spot for marshmallow roasts and New Years Eve campfire. But we
don’t have permission yet. In the meantime, we’ve already had one Eagle
Scout project at that spot, hence the concrete and bench and a now
overgrown tiered path to the chimney. Then this July 8th, in the
evening, a team of church volunteers will be pulling more weeds on the
hill. And then another eagle scout will lead a team to remove the
brambles and invasive vines from the chimney to Hidden Pond. We may even
get a little foot bridge over the hidden stream. Then in the Fall,
another team will head from the other side of the pond clearing invasive
vines until one could manage to walk around the pond completely. We are
not going for a manicured look, and we want lot’s of wild life to feel
comfortable there, not including the kind that throw beer bottles.

When the brambles are removed, I think it is possible we’ll get approval
for a New Year’s Eve campfire, but NOT NOW

If you have interest in volunteering for vine removal, send me a note.

Thanks!

________________________________

From: CherrydaleCitizens@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:CherrydaleCitizens@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of kristinkaywoody
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 11:50 AM
To: CherrydaleCitizens@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Cherrydale Listserve — Chimney structure near Hidden Pond

I was wondering if anyone knows the purpose of the chimney-like stone
structure off the bike path near the Hidden Pond in Cherry Valley park?
Can we use it to roast marshmallows sometime? Thanks!

Kristin Woody

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[baiskeli]

Old concrete factor. Hmm. Perhaps it was a kiln of some kind?

[off2ride]

Rode by the chimney this morning as part of my commute to work and noticed benches down there. I’ll pitch my tent down there one night and get the fireplace goin.

[Author]

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