Chevy Chase was unincorporated farmland in the years before 1890, during which time
Senator Francis G. Newlands of Nevada and his partners began the aggressive acquisition of land in northwestern Washington, D.C., and southern Montgomery County, Maryland, for the purpose of developing a residential streetcar suburb for Washington, DC. The Chevy Chase Land Company was founded in 1890, and its eventual holdings of more than 1,700 acres (6.9 km2) would extend along the present-day Connecticut Avenue from Florida Avenue north to Jones Bridge Road. The Chevy Chase Land Company would build houses for no less than $5,000 on Connecticut Avenue or less than $3,000 on a side street.
The name “Chevy Chase” was taken from one of the absorbed plots of land. Its name in turn, according to the Village of Chevy Chase’s official history, can be traced to the larger tract of land called “Cheivy Chace” that was patented to Colonel Joseph Belt from Lord Baltimore on July 10, 1725. It has historic associations to a 1388 battle between Lord Percy of England and Earl Douglas of Scotland. At issue in this “chevauchée” (a French word describing a border raid) were hunting grounds or a “chace” in the Cheviot Hills of NorthumberlandandOtterburn.
Even if Chevy Chase Village takes its name from a 1388 battle, there is no dispute now that it is one of the favorite neighborhoods in the DC metro area. This is a community that has maintained its value and prestige through the recent market adjustment because everyone loves its luxury homes like Grafton Street’s historic Victorians with their wide front porches and the beautiful colonials on Hesketh and W. Lenox backing to the Chevy Chase Club’s golf course.
When buyers relocate to the DC area, it is hard to pick a community to live in if you are not working with a good Realtor who knows the area really well. There are lots of reasons to live in Chevy Chase, but here are a few that I would give. Chevy Chase Village is an area just over the DC line off Wisconsin Avenue, Connecticut Avenue, and Western Avenue, radiating off the Chevy Chase Circle. It is a great place to live for anyone who loves an urban/suburban lifestyle. You can walk to movies, restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and parks. When my son's friends were growing up in Chevy Chase Village, they were always happy to be able to walk into DC for a movie or to take the metro at Friendship Heights and have a little bit of carefully monitored freedom!
FEATURED LISTING – 24 Hesketh Street, Chevy Chase Maryland
About 18 years ago there was a house on Hesketh that I fell in love with and wanted to buy, but the real estate gods were not on my side. What I am left with is an absolute love for this quiet tree lined narrow street that runs parallel to one side of the Chevy Chase Club golf course. 24 Hesketh is listed by Long and Foster for $1,775,000 and has been on the market since November 12. With 3 bedrooms and 2 baths on the second floor, this 1923 home has a beautiful wide front porch and a family room/kitchen combination renovated in 2009 and flooded with light at the back of the house. Just in time for the holidays, you will love the wood burning fireplace in the formal living room and the family room with its gas fireplace. With a 7500 square foot lot, there is room to play ball or have a cook out on the brick patio. If this is not the luxury house of your dreams, there are many others for sale in Chevy Chase Village, so just give the Lise Howe Team a call. Since Lise grew up in this area, she knows lots of secret listings and hidden gems that will be perfect for you to call home.
FEATURED RESTAURANT – LIA’S – (240) 223-5427 at 4435 Willard Avenue
The interior of Lia’s is very simple, modern and clean. The white linens, soft lighting and candles make it a peaceful and
engaging space. I know that the interior is pleasant but my favorite part of the restaurant is out on the patio under a big red umbrella in the warm weather, watching the traffic going up and down Willard Avenue and the people going in and out of Whole Foods across the street. It is such a nice way to spend a Sunday brunch or Saturday evening happy hour! The outside location is perfect as a place to bring young children since there is room to move around! We have even brought our standard poodle, Poirot, with us on occasion when we have eaten lunch here, and the staff is great about it.
So – how is the restaurant? It is an inviting combination of Tuscan warmth and Milanese chic. Whether you are looking for a robust, sophisticated Barolo wine, a creamy lobster risotto, or a handmade fresh-raspberry gelato, you will be happy that you came. One of my favorite offerings at Lia’s is the selection of sliced meats like speck or soppresatta, fresh cheeses like talereggio or caprotta, and vegetables such as several kinds of olives or marinated mushrooms which allow you to make your own antipasto platter. Great pizzas, salads, pastas and sandwiches are great complements to more sophisticated offerings like risotto or steamed mussels. A great way to spend an afternoon or evening!
FEATURED SERVICE – Ramer’s Stride Rite For Children
When my children needed their first shoes, I immediately went to Ramer’s to have them fitted for those important first shoes. On Saturday mornings Ramer’s is filled with children being fitted for shoes by VERY PATIENT clerks! The store is rocking with the sound of children banging on the miniature piano in the middle of the room and contented comments from parents satisfied with the selection and service. They also keep a chart on your child of their shoe size, and send you reminders when it’s time to get a new pair. The wonderful news is that this great store has been around for more than 35 years, fitting children from all over the DC area! As another mother said on her blog, while it is great to order things online – some things need to be fitted in person – and a baby’s first shoes are definitely one of those items!
FEATURED EVENT -HANDEL’S MESSIAH AT THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL
Handel’s masterpiece in the Cathedral’s setting is the essential Christmas music experience. A Baroque-period
orchestra and guest soloists join the Cathedral’s combined boy, girl and men’s choirs under the direction of Michael McCarthy. Soloists: Gillian Keith, soprano; Marietta Simpson, alto; Rufus Müller, tenor; Eric Downs, bass. The concert lasts approximately 2 1/2 hours.
Audiences have been known to burst into song during the Hallelujah chorus and into tears during He Was Despised. Certainly no other masterwork of religious music is as familiar yet still as exciting as the first time you hear it. The Cathedral Choir, a Baroque period orchestra, the Cathedral setting, and the Christmas season all combine to make this an experience you won’t want to miss.
Performances are taking place on December 3rd at 7:30 and on December 4th and 5th at 4 pm. Tickets are available on line for $25 to $85.00. See you there!
FUN FACTS ABOUT CHEVY CHASE – HISTORICAL HOMES IN CHEVY CHASE
A listing of homes in Town deemed historic follows: 4201 Bradley Lane, 4209 Bradley Lane,6704 Connecticut Ave., 6800 Connecticut Ave., 6812 Connecticut Ave., 7200 Connecticut Ave.,7202 Connecticut Ave., 7204 Connecticut Ave., 7610 Connecticut Ave., 6709 East Avenue, 3910 East-West Hwy., 4312 Leland Street, 4500 Leland Street, 7205 Meadow Lane, 7320 Meadow Lane, 4015 Rosemary Street (Chevy Chase Elementary School), 4101 Stanford Street, 4103 Stanford Street, 4105 Stanford Street.
To learn more about what housing options Chevy Chase and the surrounding areas such as NW Washington and Bethesda, or further beyond to Georgetown or McLean have to offer, be it a luxury estate, condominium or starter home for a first time home buyer, just give me a call at 240-401-5577 or email me at lise@lisehowe.com.
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