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Community House
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The Lyon Village Community House
1920 N. Highland Street Arlington, VA 22201
(The house with the cupola located next to the
tennis course at Lyon Village Park)
Pay Phone: (703)528-9403
The Beginning
Soon after the Lyon Village Citizens' Association was founded it began planning for a community house in which to meet and hold other activities. But it was not until 1949 that the Lyon Village Community House was finally built. How that was accomplished is a very interesting page in the history of Lyon Village community life.
The Community House is owned by the lot owners within the original boundaries of Lyon Village as it was laid out in 1923. This is called the "Cruit Tract."
Three trustees elected by the lot owners hold the property in trust. A board of governors and the trustees manage the Community House using money obtained from rentals and from fundraising projects such as our Spring Spaghetti Dinner. An annual meeting of the lot owners is held in November to elect new board members and one trustee, to approve the budget, and to discuss matters concerning the maintenance and operation of the Community House.
The Lyon Village Community House is for the use of all Lyon Village residents and is frequently used for our civic association events and meetings. Lyon Village homeowners, anyone sponsored by a Lyon Village resident, and others also may rent the Community House for a private event. Rental fees vary according to the day of the week and time of day.
Community House History
The story of the Lyon Village Community House begins in 1923 when Frank Lyon purchased the 163-acre Cruit estate from the heirs of Robert Cruit. Frank Lyon's development company, Lyon & Fitch (later Lyon Inc.) divided the Cruit tract into lots to create a community called Lyon Village.
Promotional brochures and early sales contracts for Lyon Village lots described a trust fund for the benefit of the lot owners. This trust fund was to be accumulated by setting aside 10% of the purchase price of lots. The fund was to be held by the company until 75% of the 163-acre Cruit tract was sold. When that occurred, a board of trustees was to be chosen by the lot owners to receive and administer the fund. The money was for sewers, electric lights, and the maintenance of streets. Also, $5,000 was to be used towards the construction of a community house on property donated by Lyon Inc.
A citizens' association of homeowners in Lyon Village was formed in 1926. They began meeting in the offices of Lyon & Fitch and later in the homes of officers of the association. From the beginning, the Lyon Village Citizens Association talked about having a community house where they could meet and also gather for other community activities.
In 1940 Stanley N. Collins, president of the Lyon Village Citizens' Association, wrote to Lyon Inc. concerning transferring the fund to trustees as provided for in the sales contracts. No satisfactory response was received, so lot owners filed a lawsuit (Collins et al versus Lyon Inc.). The court sustained the demurrer of Lyon Inc., so the lot owners took their case to the Virginia Supreme Court in 1943 where it was reversed and remanded.
In October 1944, Lyon Inc. agreed to give two lots and $20,000 to trustees appointed by lot owners. Construction of a community house began in June 1949 and was completed in December. The cost of construction exceeded $20,000 so lot owners contributed $4,000 and borrowed $8,000. A mortgage burning party was held in December 1964. In 1968, the privileges of the Community House were extended to all residents who live within the boundaries as defined by the Lyon Village Citizens' Association.
Governance of the Community House
Three Trustees hold the Community House property in trust for lot owners who live within the boundaries of the original Cruit tract. Each trustee is elected for a three-year term, with one new trustee elected each year.
An Advisory Board of Governors is elected each year. They and the three Trustees direct the use, management, and maintenance of the Community House.
A lot owners meeting is held annually (usually in November) to elect one Trustee, elect the members of the Board of Governors, approve a budget, and approve recommendations made by the board.
The Board of Governors for 1998-99 are:
Trustees: Ray Anderson (1999),
Jack Royer (2000), and Tom Harrison (2001)
Directors: Sharon Snyder (Chairman), Tamara Lindquist (Vice Chairman), Darcy Gruttadaro (Secretary), Ray King (Treasurer), Ditty Boaz (Member-at-Large), Rob Saunders (Member-at-Large)
Ex-Officio Member: Martha V. Moore, President of the Lyon Village Citizens' Association
Renting the Lyon Village Community House
Residents of Lyon Village may rent the Community House as may organizations and individuals sponsored by a Lyon Village resident. The Community House is rented frequently for parties, weddings, seminars, and meetings. A rental schedule is posted at the entrance of the Community House. To request a rental date or get rental price information, call the Rental Message Line at (703) 528-4904 and leave a message. The Rental Chairman will return your call.
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