It is not very often your great-great-great grandparents’ home pops up for sale. You can imagine the excitement and “should we?” texts that circulated my family group chat when we saw 4404 8th Street S., one of the few surviving Arlington houses my ancestors lived in, show up on Zillow.
If you read any early accounts of Barcroft, the development and migration was spoken of like Manifest Destiny. These early settlers considered themselves true pioneers of the “western” suburbs of Washington. My great-great-great grandparents, Peter and Catharine Kirchner, were the original owners of 4404 8th Street (then Brooks Street)– a newly-developed farmette (small barn included!) purchased directly from one of Barcroft’s developers, Abbie Galt Fox, in 1916. From that home, my relatives continued to reside in Barcroft for generations. Some branches moved onto other Arlington enclaves, but our beginnings can be traced back to that humble bungalow.
For over a century, the home has somehow dodged full-blown renovations, massive additions, or complete demolition. From my memory and old photos, the house has always sported white siding with dark green trim surrounded by a well-maintained landscape. As the homes surrounding it grow and change with the times, 4404 8th Street S. remains a time capsule, and for me– a familial landmark.
Maybe it is the kind of buyers the property attracts, or possibly the ghosts of my relatives convincing them against extreme renovations, but either way, I hope the new owner of 4404 8th Street continues to keep the property’s yesteryear charm.
Other Notable, Classic Arlington Homes For Sale:
739 22nd St. S., Aurora Highlands
1920, 4 bed/3 bath, $1,499,000
3764 N. Dumbarton St., Rock Springs
1939, 3 bed/2 bath, $1,725,000
4805 24th St. N., Old Dominion
1915, 4 bed/3 bath, $1,999,000
1908 S. Arlington Ridge Rd., Arlington Ridge
1915, 5 bed/5 bath, $2,800,000
