Question the accuracy of the map re: street names, e.g., at least 2 listings have addresses for Washington Ave (near Powhatan St) and for Winchester St (near Hanover).
As an FYI, Randall Estates in Fairfax County, VA, is a historic, mid-century neighborhood (1962–1974) built specifically for Black families to escape racially restrictive covenants, rather than being governed by them. Developed by Jube B. Shiver, Sr., it is listed on the Virginia Inventory of Historic Sites for its cultural significance. Virginia DHR (.gov)
Key Aspects of Randall Estates
Purpose: Founded in response to racial exclusionary policies in other Northern Virginia neighborhoods, providing a community for Black middle-class professionals.
Historic Designation: The neighborhood was recognized in 2022 and 2023 for its significant role in Fairfax County's cultural heritage and its status as a self-built Black community. While Randall Estates was a response to discrimination, it is often discussed within the context of the era's legal landscape.
Context: Unlike surrounding areas that used racial covenants to exclude Black buyers, Randall Estates was designed as an intentional, inclusive community. Fairfax County (.gov)
Discriminatory Covenants: Historically, many properties in Virginia included covenants prohibiting sale to certain groups, which became common in the early 20th century.
Legality: The Fair Housing Act of 1968 made new racial covenants illegal, and they are largely unenforceable, though they may still exist on old property records.
On Aug 27, 2024, UMW professor of History and American Studies, Dr. Moon, spoke at the Fairfax Co Sherwood Regional Library, which is just up the road from Historic Gum Springs at the intersection of Sherwood Hall Lane and Fordson Rd. Gum Springs is the oldest African-American community in Fairfax County (per its DHR historic marker).
Dr. Moon gave a talk titled “A History of Fairfax County’s Racial Covenants in Property Deeds.” Some real estate developers and others selling property in Northern Virginia from 1900 through the 1960s used race-based, restrictive covenants to maintain segregation, and Virginia’s state and local governments were enablers at times.
A 'FFX Now' article titled “Fairfax County to review property deeds, remove discriminatory language, cited Dr. Moon's talk. In total, the research project found over 22,000 parcels with restrictive covenants in Fairfax County, including some owned by the county government.
So when is Fredericksburg 22401 local government going to start a similar response? Review the property deeds and remove discriminatory language?
After all, there are more than a few people in 22401 who retorted during the ADU Text Amendment debacle when told in public comments at the city mic that Accessory Dwelling Units fall under the Fair Housing Act, Virginia Fair Housing, and the Americans with Disabilities Act: 'Oh no, that isn't true'.
Yes, FXBG, it is F-A-C-T. You can't just advertise and rent to able-bodied 'students only'. Excluding non-students is seen as age 'elderliness' discrimination against older individuals.
It's wonderful to study history and then to look at how things have evolved today. The Fair Housing Act began in 1965 and started to outlaw provisions about race in restricted subdivisions and covenants.
I live in the "Elmhurst" neighborhood. Black people live next door to me and another African lives two doors down and as well as on the street behind me. Several Hispanic families live in the next block. We have people of assorted sexual orientations all around us. Everyone here chose to live in a single-family house. In other words, neighborhoods can evolve and include everyone.
It may be more helpful to young people to learn how to save and scrimp to get ready to buy their first home, whether it be a single-family home, a condo, or a townhouse. There are many choices here so just choose what you like and quit knocking what others have selected.
I couldn't get a credit card until 1972 when laws were passed to give women rights to such credit. We have certainly evolved from that situation, and many women own their own home and business today. When my husband and I bought our first house in Washington, D.C., the deed read my husband's name "and ux". It wasn't right to deny women credit, but we have evolved from that time and moved on to 2026.
Susan Pates When I moved to FXBG from NoVA in 1980, I tried to rent at the Maury apts on William St. The manager, whose name I forget, told me that management did not allow young women to rent. I pushed back on having a steady job with the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, my own credit and rental history in Danville VA. But no luck with her. I didn't know that I could report her. This was 1980 FXBG.
Question the accuracy of the map re: street names, e.g., at least 2 listings have addresses for Washington Ave (near Powhatan St) and for Winchester St (near Hanover).
As an FYI, Randall Estates in Fairfax County, VA, is a historic, mid-century neighborhood (1962–1974) built specifically for Black families to escape racially restrictive covenants, rather than being governed by them. Developed by Jube B. Shiver, Sr., it is listed on the Virginia Inventory of Historic Sites for its cultural significance. Virginia DHR (.gov)
Key Aspects of Randall Estates
Purpose: Founded in response to racial exclusionary policies in other Northern Virginia neighborhoods, providing a community for Black middle-class professionals.
Historic Designation: The neighborhood was recognized in 2022 and 2023 for its significant role in Fairfax County's cultural heritage and its status as a self-built Black community. While Randall Estates was a response to discrimination, it is often discussed within the context of the era's legal landscape.
Context: Unlike surrounding areas that used racial covenants to exclude Black buyers, Randall Estates was designed as an intentional, inclusive community. Fairfax County (.gov)
Discriminatory Covenants: Historically, many properties in Virginia included covenants prohibiting sale to certain groups, which became common in the early 20th century.
Legality: The Fair Housing Act of 1968 made new racial covenants illegal, and they are largely unenforceable, though they may still exist on old property records.
On Aug 27, 2024, UMW professor of History and American Studies, Dr. Moon, spoke at the Fairfax Co Sherwood Regional Library, which is just up the road from Historic Gum Springs at the intersection of Sherwood Hall Lane and Fordson Rd. Gum Springs is the oldest African-American community in Fairfax County (per its DHR historic marker).
Dr. Moon gave a talk titled “A History of Fairfax County’s Racial Covenants in Property Deeds.” Some real estate developers and others selling property in Northern Virginia from 1900 through the 1960s used race-based, restrictive covenants to maintain segregation, and Virginia’s state and local governments were enablers at times.
A 'FFX Now' article titled “Fairfax County to review property deeds, remove discriminatory language, cited Dr. Moon's talk. In total, the research project found over 22,000 parcels with restrictive covenants in Fairfax County, including some owned by the county government.
So when is Fredericksburg 22401 local government going to start a similar response? Review the property deeds and remove discriminatory language?
After all, there are more than a few people in 22401 who retorted during the ADU Text Amendment debacle when told in public comments at the city mic that Accessory Dwelling Units fall under the Fair Housing Act, Virginia Fair Housing, and the Americans with Disabilities Act: 'Oh no, that isn't true'.
Yes, FXBG, it is F-A-C-T. You can't just advertise and rent to able-bodied 'students only'. Excluding non-students is seen as age 'elderliness' discrimination against older individuals.
It's wonderful to study history and then to look at how things have evolved today. The Fair Housing Act began in 1965 and started to outlaw provisions about race in restricted subdivisions and covenants.
I live in the "Elmhurst" neighborhood. Black people live next door to me and another African lives two doors down and as well as on the street behind me. Several Hispanic families live in the next block. We have people of assorted sexual orientations all around us. Everyone here chose to live in a single-family house. In other words, neighborhoods can evolve and include everyone.
It may be more helpful to young people to learn how to save and scrimp to get ready to buy their first home, whether it be a single-family home, a condo, or a townhouse. There are many choices here so just choose what you like and quit knocking what others have selected.
I couldn't get a credit card until 1972 when laws were passed to give women rights to such credit. We have certainly evolved from that situation, and many women own their own home and business today. When my husband and I bought our first house in Washington, D.C., the deed read my husband's name "and ux". It wasn't right to deny women credit, but we have evolved from that time and moved on to 2026.
Susan Pates When I moved to FXBG from NoVA in 1980, I tried to rent at the Maury apts on William St. The manager, whose name I forget, told me that management did not allow young women to rent. I pushed back on having a steady job with the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, my own credit and rental history in Danville VA. But no luck with her. I didn't know that I could report her. This was 1980 FXBG.
I applaud this work. We need the light shined on these kinds of injustices.in our history and today.