FVS History Highlights: “A Place to Tie To” 

‘A Place to Tie To. Part 1’
We often refer to our schoolhouse as “a place to tie to.” It’s a very accurate phrase but where did it come from? In 1976 a member of the Vale Club named Elsa Norris wrote an article as an assignment for a class she was taking at NOVA. She titled her essay relating to the story of a one-room schoolhouse and how it grew, and titled it “A Place to Tie To.” In 1972, Elsa and her husband had moved from Arlington to a home on Vale Road and she joined the Vale Club, becoming a very active and involved member. She had a career in public information with the Fairfax Park Authority, Government and Public schools; she helped launch cable Channel 21. She died in May 2015. We are grateful that she left behind this cherished historical essay which I will include word-for-word in this column over the next few months, beginning below.

Part 1
“This is the story of a one-room school house and how it grew – in size, and, more importantly, in scope—to become a focal point for the Vale community in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Origin of the Name “Vale”
In 1842, Hudson Bennett bought 400 acres of the large Carter Piney Ridge tract in Fairfax County for the sum of $1.00. The acreage extended from the old Ox Road (Rte. 608) to Fox Mill Road (Rte. 665). On this land Mr. Bennett acquired a log cabin with an old stone chimney dating back to at least 1806; these structures are still in existence. He made this cabin his home and called his land, “Poplar Vale.” Mr. Bennett was an active worker for the community, with special concern for better roads. One of these roads, which went through his farm, bears his name.

By the 1880s, the community had grown to the 20 or more families needed to become eligible for a post office. The citizens determined to name their community, “Bennett,” but the Vienna postmaster disallowed it because Virginia already had a Bennett’s Mill listed among its post offices. He suggested they select a shorter name. Still wishing to honor Mr. Bennett, the community decided to take its name from his homestead, Poplar Vale; hence the choice of “Vale.” The post office was built at the corner of Fox Mill and Stuart Mill Roads, and continued in service for 24 years, until 1907.”

Darlene Williamson
Historic Preservation Chair


4 October 2026 Elsa Norris 1939 – 2015
Author of “A Place to Tie To”
In 1976 a member of the club named Elsa Norris wrote an article titled “A Place to Tie To.” She and her husband moved from Arlington to a home on Vale Road in 1972, she joined the Vale Club (Extension Homemaker Club) and became a very active and involved member.

There were very few homes in the Vale area and the women were looking to socialize and get to know their neighbors. Elsa recalls about 45 members and said that the focus of the club was “preserving the rural character” and to “retain the history of the area.” She also remembered fondly all the activities: drawing classes, yoga group, bread baking, even a hang gliding class.

Members did a spring cleaning each year and planted the grounds. As an assignment for a NOVA class she was taking, she wrote an essay: “the story of a one-room school house and how it grew—in size, and, more importantly, in scope-to become a focal point for the Vale community.” She felt the title described the value of the building over many years.