The photogenic Norfolk Western Railroad caboose was in service from 1974-1991, John Powell said, and pays homage to the Clifton’s history as the Devereux Station depot for the Orange & Alexandria.
Fairfax Station — There was reportedly a tree growing through the abandoned house that once stood on 7239 Dell Avenue where Darah and her husband Matt Curran now live.
The original, built circa 1904, “did not have indoor plumbing, had never been updated,” Darah said. “The house was in such disrepair, it became a bit of an eyesore on the street.”
The Currans had the old house demolished and a new one built in its place. One that would fit the character of the historic neighborhood. Their builder worked closely with the town, getting design elements approved -- the house’s tin roof is a notable detail to match the rest of the town.
Matt grew up coming to Clifton, Darah said, so making it their home in 2015 was a bit of a long time coming. The Currans were asked to open their new house to the public as part of the annual Historic Clifton Holiday Homes tour on Dec. 3.
“We love being part of the town, we wanted to give back in any way we can,” Darah said. “It’s really neat for our house to be part of it now.”
The tour features several other homes, as well as two of the town’s churches and its extremely photogenic Norfolk and Western Cupola Caboose.
“People are photographing themselves with that thing all day, every day,” said Clifton resident John Powell, who has taken up repairing the caboose as a personal project.
“It really began a journey for me, I didn’t know much about railroads or cabooses in particular,” Powell said. “My goal was to refurbish it. It does need some work, it’s a little raw condition, but beautiful original raw condition.”
The caboose was in service from 1974-1991, Powell said, and pays homage to the Clifton’s history as the Devereux Station depot for the Orange & Alexandria.
“It doesn’t have a particular Christmas connection,” said Powell, “but it is just a real genuine piece of railroad history and Clifton, a railroad town.”
For the first time, Powell said, the interior of the caboose will be open to the public as part of the homes tour.
Trish and husband Jonathan Robertson at 7222 Dell Avenue are Homes Tour veterans, having hosted twice before in previous years.
“Holiday tours are fun, everyone is in a great mood, it’s family-oriented,” Trish said.
The Robertsons’ have lived in their home built on “rubble foundation” (large, indigenous rocks rather than man-made slab) for 17 years.
“It has mostly original woodwork,” she said, dating back to around 1902 when the house was built, “meaning there are no right angles, in a good way.”
On the spirit of the afternoon, Robertson added, “it’s just a warm-friendly time of year -- keeping in Clifton spirit with warm hospitality.”
The official schedule for Dec. 3 is:
2-3 p.m. : Caroling on Horseback parade on Clifton’s Main Street, sponsored by the Clifton Horse Society
4-7 p.m. : Holiday Homes tour
4-7 p.m. : Clifton Art Guild, Clifton Presbyterian Church, located at 12748 Richardson Lane
Twenty percent of the proceeds from the homes tour will be donated to each homeowners’ non-profit organization of choice.
TO GO THERE
The Historic Clifton Holiday Homes Tour runs Dec 3, 2016, from 4 - 7 p.m. Early tickets $25 adults, children under 13 $5; day of tickets $30, children under 13 $10; credit card $35. For more information, visit clifton-va.com.
Clifton Baptist Church, corner of Main Street and Chapel Street
The current building, featuring a spire steeple and gothic windows, was completed in 1912 and replaced the original rectangular wooden building erected on a lot purchased in 1875. Robinson High School Singers will be performing in the church when not caroling around town.
12717 Chestnut Street, Casa de Saldivar, Lorena Saldivar
7222 Dell Avenue, The Robertson Family
7227 Dell Avenue, Michelle and Jeff Stein
7239 Dell Avenue, The Curran Family
