ARLINGTON, Va. — A visit to Green Valley reveals one of Arlington's oldest and most significant African American communities, with a history that stretches back to 1844. That year, Levi Jones became the first African American to own land in the area when he purchased 14 acres near Green Valley Manor. Jones's parents had been enslaved by George Washington and were later freed under the terms of Martha Washington's estate.
Following the Civil War, formerly enslaved families established a thriving community, building homes, churches, businesses, and civic institutions despite the barriers imposed by segregation. Green Valley became home to landmarks including Macedonia Baptist Church, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Green Valley Pharmacy, Friendly Taxi Cab Company, and Green Valley Ball Park. The neighborhood was also home to Dr. Charles Drew, whose pioneering blood-plasma research revolutionized modern medicine.
Although the community came to be known as "Nauck" after a white developer subdivided the area in the 1870s, residents continued to refer to their neighborhood as Green Valley. After decades of community advocacy, Arlington officially restored the historic name in 2019, recognizing the identity that generations of residents had preserved.
Today, Green Valley stands as a testament to resilience, self-determination, and the enduring legacy of the families who built one of Arlington County's most historic communities.
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