Capturing History: Colgrove Farm - Old Houses and Barns and Silos
The map dates back to the early 1900s and research from the Balch Library shows this may have only been part of the Colgrove family’s farm land. (1926 Map courtesy of loudoun.gov)
In 2013, during the kid’s spring break we ventured into the overgrown wooded area for the first time after seeing the top of the silo from the highway. The day was chilly and there was very little green, except some very determined little daffodils growing in patches near the stamped down path we helped create with our high boots.
The barn stood tall, towering over us to the left. It had several exposed walls into its interior and showed some levels, with stairs still intact. We did not dare go into any of these structures, by the way!
The main house with its two chimneys indicated this may have been where the kitchen was and convenient to the barn. It is now decorated with peeling walls and graffiti.
The silo stood just behind the barn… tall and proud. Its neighboring windmill blades rested nearby, rusting through the weathering seasons.
Though its history was hidden for years, there was evidence of inexpensive parties and even a makeshift house in the back area.
Photos above: Photos taken in 2013 and 2015 during early spring...
As of November 2016, the trees were all gone, leveled for future production. Within a week, the bulldozers and bobcats worked to remove the foliage and exposed the structures to the world again. I drove by one morning in November and my heart sank that “our house” would be gone within days. I stopped to take some photos from the road and wished I could ask when to expect the silo and house to fall. Most of the barn was already collapsed. But instead I snapped a few photos and continued on to work.
I am so glad we went on our adventure so many years ago and got some photos to capture the memories of this soon to be forgotten place. The maps are all different… the cement soon was poured and the future commuters of this area will never even know this was ever here. Fast forward to 2019 and the Data Center that sits on this land looks like it has always been there.
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Samantha S. Marshall is an award winning photographer, specializing in portraiture, architectural history, nature, wedding and corporate photography with a style consisting of colorful and energetic imagery. Running a client-friendly, service-oriented business she believes that great creativity often is the result of a collaborative effort and values working closely with her clients. Based in Northern Virginia, she is a huge supporter of many special interest groups including mental illness awareness, the rescue community and helping others to find their own artistic passions. Samantha is the coordinator of the annual FCMP Photography Expo and has been featured regionally and internationally in print and online publications including Elan Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, Around Reston, Modern Reston, and the Connection Newspaper. Visit Samantha's website to learn more about her, read her blog series "In Front of My Lens", or book a private session.