History revealed

2009-10-24-IMG_4825
Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Some recent interior work revealed a bit of the past.

As you can see in the photo, during the renovations done in the 1980s, not all remnants of the past were removed. Here you can see the weights from the old windows.

30 Years ago...

Just over 30 years ago, on October 14, 1977, Mobile Corp. purchased the Colonial Village complex from the original developer, Gustave Ring. Colonial Village was all rentals at the time and a two bedroom unit rented for $210 and a one bedroom for $160.

At the movies!

Long term residents of Colonial Village probably remember the Wilson Theatre at 1720 Wilson Blvd. The theatre, which seated over 600, closed in 1978, but later saw a brief revivial showing Bollywood films in the 1980s. In June 1939, the Wilson was presenting Richard Dix in "Man of Conquest". Today, of course, we have the nearby, not not nearly as convenient, AMC Courthouse 8 at the Courthouse Metro. The multiplex probably seats as many people (or more) than the old Wilson Theatre and offers more choices, but whether the movies themselves are better ... well ... that's a matter of taste! See a bit more information on the Wilson Theatre at Cinema Treasures.

Gustave Ring (1910-1983)

Twenty-four years ago this month, on May 3, Gustave Ring died. Ring, as many Colonial Village residents know, is responsible for the creation of our community. In 1935, Ring was already a noted developer in the Washington area when he came up with the innovative idea of a large complex of garden apartments in Arlington. Funded through the Federal Housing Administration, Colonial Village's eventual 1,052 units was a model development in both the Washington area and the country. Ring created a number of other developments, including the Ring Buliding (in Washington) and the Woodmont Country Club. In addition to his career as a builder and real estate developer, Ring kept a thoroughbred racing stable.

Colonial Village continued to hold an important place in Ring's portfolio until 1977 when he sold it to Mobil Corporation. It was this sale, and the eventual designation of Colonial Village as Arlington County Landmark and entry on the National Register of Historic Places, that led to the formation of our three condominium associations, the co-operative, and the two rental organizations.