Clarendon, Virginia

Clarendon is a neighborhood in Arlington County, Virginia, USA, located between the Rosslyn area and the Ballston area. The main thoroughfares are Wilson Boulevard (one-way westbound) and Clarendon Boulevard (one-way eastbound), roughly between Cleveland Street to the East and Jackson St/Kirkwood Road to the West. Clarendon has its own stop on the Orange Line of the Metrorail system at Wilson Boulevard and Highland Street.

Related Topics:
Arlington County - Virginia - USA - Rosslyn - Ballston - Orange Line of the Metrorail system

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Clarendon evolved into Arlington County's original "downtown" with the arrival of streetcars in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Two lines converged at Fairfax Drive and Wilson Blvd, just west of today's Clarendon Metro station. Like interurbans around the country, these lines were to remain in service until the mid-1930s, when they succumbed to the automobile and Great Depression era economics. In time Clarendon became Northern Virginia's retail center. Department stores including J.C. Penney and Sears opened stores in Clarendon, and other retailers extended west along Wilson Blvd and Fairfax Drive to Virginia Square (anchored by Kahn's Department Store) and, farther west, Parkington, later renovated and renamed Ballston.

Related Topics:
Streetcars - Nineteenth - Twentieth century - Clarendon - 1930s - Great Depression - Northern Virginia - Department stores - J.C. Penney - Sears - Ballston

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Clarendon was also selected as the location for Arlington's first Post Office building, dedicated in 1938 and now a historic landmark. Until then, Arlington's mail was handled in Washington, DC.

Related Topics:
Post Office - 1938 - Washington, DC

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Since the advent of the Metro in the early 1980s, Clarendon has become well-known for its eclectic mix of unique shops, trendy bars, and small restaurants. More recently, luxury apartments and upscale chain stores have been constructed and gentrified the area, although some of the original businesses do remain. The former Sears store's parking lot and automotive department, briefly considered as a site for a Home Depot, was developed as a mixed residential/commercial project that now includes townhouses, luxury apartments, and national chain retail stores.

Related Topics:
1980s - Restaurants - Gentrified - Home Depot

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Notable restaurants in the area include: Whitlows on Wilson (beer, sandwiches, lite fare), The Boulevard Woodgrill (seafood, meat, grilled specialties), Lazy Sundae (ice cream), Kabob Bazaar (kabobs, middle eastern food) and a large Whole Foods market.

Related Topics:
Sandwiches - Seafood - Ice cream

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There are several spots for nightlife in Clarendon: Whitlows on Wilson has live bands and cheap beer after 10pm, while Dr. Dremos (down Wilson Blvd.) has live local comedy and a pool hall.

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