Ready to explore a slice of Annandale’s history? We are standing before what was once Walnut Hill. It was a thirty-acre estate of Southern grandeur.
Walnut Hill once stood as a testament to lavish living. Joseph L. and Antoinette Arnold built it in the 1940s. The Arnolds owned Arnold Bus Line. Gently rolling hills defined the landscape around Annandale Road. Expansive, manicured lawns stretched as far as the eye could see. Thoughtful landscaping enhanced the property’s beauty. A gracious circular driveway welcomed visitors.
The estate had several impressive features. There was a manor house that resembled Tara. A twelve-stall stable housed magnificent horses. A mile-long track provided space for equine workouts. A clover-shaped swimming pool offered relaxation. A two-story guest lodge provided ample space for visitors. A duck pond completed the picturesque scene.
The manor house at Walnut Hill was quite something. It consisted of twelve rooms. Surprisingly, it only had three bedrooms. But each was the size of a basketball court. The sunken baths boasted marble steps. Gold banisters added a touch of opulence. Every room was designed for maximum comfort. The Arnolds often hosted large dinner parties. Their dining room seated forty guests. Elegant white leather covered the walls of the den. The trophy room displayed many equestrian ribbons. Spacious shelves and cupboards accommodated countless trophies.
Behind the main house, the Guest Lodge was impressive. It could seat 75 people at the bar. The dining room accommodated 200 guests. It featured a full gymnasium. It also featured a billiard table. Male and female saunas offered relaxation. An open hearth with grill provided warmth. The surrounding barbeque pit could serve 500 people. Local organizations often used the Guest Lodge. This was before hotel and banquet space was available.
The Arnolds were generous members of the community. They welcomed neighborhood children to sled every snowfall. Ice skating on the duck pond became a winter tradition. Feeding the ducks was a year-round activity. The community held a protective interest in Walnut Hill.
After Mr. Arnold died, his widow remarried. In January 1964, she sold Walnut Hill to O. Roy Chalk for $654,000. Chalk had made millions in Manhattan real estate. He owned Trans Caribbean Airways and bus companies. He streamlined the failing DC Transit Company. Chalk ended the use of streetcars in favor of buses. A few years later, he purchased Arnold Bus Line. The ownership of Walnut Hill transferred with the purchase.
In 1969, Chalk relisted the estate for $2,250,000. He used it to wine and dine politicians. In 1972, he withdrew it from community use. He tried to build high-rise apartments. The zoning was denied. He planned to lease it for $90,000 per year. There was an option to buy for $1,500,000. This was for a gentleman’s club. The Bridge and Chess Country Club was not granted a special use permit.
Unable to sell or rezone the estate, Chalk gutted the manor house. He removed elaborate chandeliers and carved mantles. He furnished his hacienda in the Caribbean with these fixtures. He left Walnut Hill to rot. The community disliked him. Annandale was too small a playing field for Chalk. His indifference was not concealed.
In 1980, the manor house was torn down. Private residences were built. The average sales price was $369,000. By 2007, those homes were valued in the $800-840,000 range. Driving past this development, the beauty of the rolling topography can still be admired. Memories of a winter wonderland remain for those who sledded the hills.
Today, only memories remain of the splendor that was once Walnut Hill.