A bustling crossroads. A streetcar suburb. A modern urban center. That’s Ballston for you. Right here, where gleaming high-rises meet bustling streets, once stood a simpler crossroads known as Birch’s, later Ball’s Crossroads. Ballston takes its name from the prominent Ball family, cousins of George Washington. Their family cemetery still rests quietly on N. Stafford Street, a silent testament to Ballston’s deep roots. In the 1700s, John and Moses Ball owned a considerable 257 acres here. Imagine farmers guiding their wagons along dirt roads, heading towards the markets of Alexandria or the burgeoning city of Washington. This intersection of present-day Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard, named for President Woodrow Wilson, became a vital artery for commerce and community.
In 1774, a two-story log tavern arose at this very crossroads. Ball’s Tavern became the heart of the growing community. It served weary travelers, offered provisions, and acted as a social hub. It even housed the post office and served as a local voting precinct. Can you picture the lively debates and whispered secrets within those log walls? Ballston officially became a village in Arlington County in 1874. The name was formalized to Ballston in 1895, solidifying the Ball family’s legacy. The arrival of the Washington, Arlington, and Falls Church Electric Railroad in 1896, along present-day Fairfax Drive, transformed Ballston into a thriving streetcar suburb.
The area continued to evolve. In 1951, the Parkington Shopping Center opened, foreshadowing the vibrant Ballston Quarter of today. For a time, the area was even known as Parkington. But the arrival of Metro service in 1979 truly ignited Ballston’s modern renaissance. Today, Ballston pulsates with energy. The revitalized Ballston Quarter offers a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Did you know the Washington Capitals hone their skills at the Medstar Capitals Iceplex, right here atop Ballston Quarter? You can even catch a movie at the 12-screen theater or sample global cuisine at the Quarter Market. Ballston isn’t just a place to work or shop; it’s a community. From the weekly farmers market to the monthly arts and crafts market, Ballston embraces a vibrant local spirit. The annual Taste of Arlington each May showcases the area’s diverse culinary scene, with over 60 restaurants and food trucks participating. Ballston, from a humble crossroads to a dynamic urban village, continues to evolve while honoring its rich past.