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Ghosts of the Accotink
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Historic Accotink Village and the Mason Run tributary that flows through it are suffering the twin whammies of "upscale' development and insatiable road widening. All of the business district and half the houses have been condemned and shuttered as the bulldozers draw near. Only "ghosts" of history and memories now inhabit these streets. Only ghosts inhabit the forested lands cleared for Route 1 widening, as the native plants, trees, and wildlife have perished. Tiny Accotink Village was nobody's idea of an "Old Town" waiting to be filled with antique shops and organic cafes. Nonetheless, its history went back to the founding of the Accotink Mill in the early 1800's, around which the village grew bit by bit. Fittingly or ironically, the development taking most of the individual homes is itself named simply "Accotink Village" . See a more complete treatment of historic Accotink Village by local blogger Hired Pen .
...does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave..?
Forgotten floodlight sadly shines on a flag which no longer flies in Accotink Village More photos of Accotink Village "ghost town"
The world is tilted, it seems, causing asphalt to flow toward the Accotink, as big project after big project takes its toll. See more more of them at our earlier Ghosts of the Accotink page . Protect your watershed! - When construction projects large or small fail to properly control sediment runoff, report the problem by calling Fairfax County or online through Potomac Riverkeepers
Redevelopment may have its upside when the stormwater control practices improve upon what existed before without reducing tree cover, enhancing the quality of water reaching Accotink Creek.
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