Bannockburn was established in 1946 when its founders, the Group Housing Cooperative, bought the 124-acre Bannockburn Golf Club in Bethesda MD. The community was intended to be a cooperative neighborhood, perhaps like the Cabin John Cooperative just up Macarthur to the north, but it never materialized. Instead, Bannockburn developed as a community of single family homes inhabited by a number of civically engaged homeowners who organize and support gatherings and special events held throughout the year.
The many long term residents enjoy its inclusive, close-knit community, excellent schools, proximity to natural attractions and downtown Washington, DC.
THE BANNOCKBURN GOLF COURSE and CLUB HOUSE
The clubhouse, which still serves as the community center, dates back to 1897, and may well have been one of the first 18 hole golf courses to succumb to development. The course was designed in part by a golf architect, Donald Ross, who is celebrated at Pinehurst in North Carolina. Brought low by the Depression, the course was sold at auction in 1946.
BANNOCKBURN, THE COMMUNITY
Unlike most communities developed by commercial developers, Bannockburn came into existence as a community designed to serve its members in the Group Housing Cooperative. Their input was sought on the types of homes desired, the amenities needed, and the price the members were able to pay. Since many of the members were working in the Federal Government their salaries were around $6000 annually. In the 1940s, that was a good salary but not a luxurious one.
The first twenty four homes were along Wilson Lane and Braeburn Place in 1949- 1950. The remainder of the approximately 275 homes were completed by 1960. The community design had to account for the rolling hills that no doubt lent themselves to the name, Bannockburn, so not all of the homes have level, square lots. Instead, the gentle roll of the hills and mature trees make a pleasant neighborhood.
BANNOCKBURN NURSERY SCHOOL
How many neighborhoods have their own nursery school within its boundaries? Bannockburn Nursery School dates back to the 1950s and is located at 6314 Bannockburn Drive in the old clubhouse. The school has three classrooms, for twos, threes, and fours/fives. It has a kitchen, a garden, two indoor spaces and multiple out door spaces. It offers a summer program and an extended day program in addition to the typical scholastic year program.
BANNOCKBURN ELEMENTARY AND BEYOND
Located at 6520 Dalroy Place in Bannockburn, this elementary school serves approximately 450 children from kindergarten through 5th grade. Bannockburn ES is part of the Whitman school cluster. Other schools in the Whitman Cluster include Bradley Hills, Burning Tree, Carderock Springs and Wood Acres. The middle school in the Whitman Cluster is Thomas Pyle and Walt Whitman is the high school.
This link to the bus route for 2023 shows where people live in the Bannockburn school district.
RECENT HOME SALES IN BANNOCKBURN
The last three years have seen a fluctuation in the prices of homes in the Bannockburn community. Over the last three years prices have ranged from $575,000 for a tear down on Wilson Lane (a busy two lane road with a yellow line down the middle) to $3.531,104 for a new construction Craftsman five bedroom home on Arandale with 3500 square feet of space and .6 acres of land.
The overall 20814 zip code saw a 19% decrease in home values from $802,500 to $650,000 from 2021 to 2022. The decrease in Bannockburn itself was 16.3% during the same period from $1,750,000 to $1,645,000 Less than 15% of the homes on the market in the last 3 years either listed or sold under $1,000,000.
TYPE OF HOMES IN BANNOCKBURN
When the homes in Bannockburn were originally built they were typically ramblers, split foyers and a few split levels, reflecting the preferred architecture of the 1950s. There were a few colonials built along Wilson Lane before Bannockburn was begun but the bulk of homes were appropriately - mid-century moderns.
Now the new homes being built are large and typically craftsman style. There are occasionally some fascinating contemporaries that fit in with the mid-century modern neighbors.
To see what is on the market in Bannockburn and nearby, just click here.
Once you have found that dream home, just give us a call at the Lise Howe Group, 240-401-5577 or email us at lise@lisehowe.com and we can schedule an appointment to see that home and others that might also match your criteria!
WHAT IS NEARBY?
Bannockburn is close to downtown Bethesda with all its shops and restaurants, but far enough away to enjoy the peace and quiet of rolling hills and tall trees. Bannockburn is also close to the C&O Canal, Great Falls, Glen Echo and Cabin John for recreation like hiking and kayaking. This community offers easy access to Dulles Airport, Reagan National Airport and the Beltway and I-270.
One of my favorite sushi carryouts is on MacArthur - Kanpai Sushi, owned by a wonderful gentleman for the last twenty years or so. next to Kanpai Sushi is a great sub and pizza shop that also has been providing treats for the neighborhood for many years. Beside these two gems is Christopher's hardware store, which is an ACE affiliate, but is small enough to find everything you need.
Glen Echo, part of the national park service, is near by with a puppet theater, one hundred year old carrousel and an art center offering classes to children and adults. Historically, Glen Echo was a chatauqua and then an amusement park. Adjoining Glen Echo is Clara Barton's home, which also is a part of the National Park Service.
To see what is on the market in Bannockburn and nearby, just click here.
Once you have found that dream home, just give us a call at the Lise Howe Group, 240-401-5577 or email us at lise@lisehowe.com and we can schedule an appointment to see that home and others that might also match your criteria!
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