Yesterday the county threw some of Jack’s magic beans on sidewalk to the left of the Barrington II TH entrance and grew a new Carlyle light. It replaces the one removed to make way for the sewer drain on the other side of the driveway. It’s screened off now awaiting new sidewalk to surround it.

Here is the old and the new

Roadbed was also put down on the 21st re-route portion:

Looking east across Lee Hwy

The Two 21sts. A few inches down on Lee, and taken with a wide angle lens to show the two 21sts.

A sparrow’s eye view

Finally progress to appreciate. I’m so over the whole dig and fill routine. The crews have been clearing paths, packing dirt, and installing curb and gutter this week. Utility crews also continue to feed in their wires and such. 

These pictures start out at Lee and 21st because it just seems like the logical place to start a tour. However, chronologically, crews started the work at the former Koons lot and worked their way to Lee.

Looking north across Lee Hwy you can see the new road bed. According to the site plan there is suppose to be a 4ft planting strip adjacent to the fence and a 5ft sidewalk (per ADA regulations). I’m not seeing where all that will fit but I guess we’ll soon see how they work their magic.

A close up looking east. The rerouted portion starts its turn to the existing road.

Looking south towards Lee, “new” 21st meets the old. New curb and gutter defines the curve. A lot more navigable than the old “L,” for sure.

And finally, looking northeast from the Barrington II Townhomes you can see a well formed road bounded by curb and gutter. A new fire hydrant and power box were installed as well. You can also make out the area that will become the mini-park in the foreground.

Happy Thanksgiving

Funny how decade plus old street elements can vanish in broad daylight unnoticed and be forgotten as if they never existed. Construction has only been on for about eight weeks but how many Randolph St. or Lee Hwy residents or cut through artists remember any of this: 

1: Water meters moved slightly northward, and in a triangular pattern, to make room for a wheelchair/stroller ramp.

2: Street light removed to make room for storm drain. Light will be moved approx 50 ft west to other side of the Barrington II driveway. Apparently this was a last minute change.

3: 21st Rd Metro Bus stop temporarily moved to other side of Barrington II driveway. The new permanent stop will be in front of the Koons garage. (That will be a happy day!)

4: Storm drain moved approx 15 feet west (to the left).

(top picture taken Jan ‘08. middle and bottom picture taken Nov ‘08)

(Gray overlay simulates appearance after sidewalk reinstalled)

Having lived in Arlington since 1990 I’ve come as accustom to its overwrought street naming scheme as possible.  But until this mystery boiler appeared I didn’t realize it wasn’t always this way. I mean how often does a locality change street names en masse? Imagine the havoc that would cause.  

Looking at some insurance maps from the early 20th century I was amazed to learn 21st Rd was once called Hilmar! Most other streets were called something other than what they are named today as well. Immediately the old TMBG song “Istanbul (not Contantinople)” came to mind. So when you look at pictures of the maps below, no, you are not looking at maps of a parallel universe, and if your date is on Buena Vista she’ll be waiting on North Stafford St.

OK back to our regularly scheduled program…

New information: I was told when the tank was discovered it was in a concrete encasement. So that rules out that it was dumped. Clearly it was used on the property. I think these maps may tell the rest of the story.

Orange dot = approx. where tank was found.

Circa 1929: The lot where the tank was found was empty. There was a house across the street but seems unlikely that the tank belonged to it. 

Circa 1936: The lot is still empty.

Circa 1954: A one story house sits about where the boiler was found. My guess is that the boiler belonged to this house. Seems like a large boiler for a 1 story home though. 

If anyone has comments or additional info just click the “comments” link.