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Historic Bridge Named In Honor Of Loudoun Preservation Pioneer Margaret Morton
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he 1889 Pratt Truss bridge that spans the north fork of Catoctin Creek between Waterford and Taylorstown received a new name last week. The John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge was the site of the July 28 gathering of the preservationist’s former colleagues, friends and admirers to celebrate the legacy of a man who led efforts to record information about Loudoun’s historic structures and sites. He is cited as an essential figure in Loudoun’s historic preservation movement by those who followed him. The bridge once spanned Goose Creek on Rt. 7 east of Leesburg, but was moved to Featherbed Lane between Waterford and Lovettsville in 1932. The rare remaining example of late 19th century American engineering is one of only eight in existence in the country and one of two in Virginia still carrying traffic. Over the past year, the bridge has been found to have structural cracks and the Virginia Department of Transportation is studying seven rehabilitation options. The naming of the bridge in Lewis’ memory recalls his involvement in an earlier fight to save the bridge. Lewis, who died in 2013 at
age 80, was a crucial player in the 1974 fight to prevent Catoctin Creek from being dammed by the Fairfax Water Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. One of his first actions in that nineyear struggle was to get the bridge nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. As chairman of the Loudoun County Scenic River Committee, Lewis spearheaded an effort to secure scenic river designations for both Catoctin Creek and Goose Creek. Lewis also was instrumental in creating 10 town and village county historic districts, including Waterford and Taylorstown. His most monumental effort was creating the original 9,000-acre Goose Creek Historic District—the first rural historic agricultural district in the country. In addition, Lewis meticulously recorded his analysis and observations in the “Lewis File,” which contains records on more than 1,000 buildings and sites surveyed by the architectural historian for the Virginia Historic LandLeesburg Today/Margaret Morton marks Commission. Admirers of the late John G. Lewis celebrate the formal dedication of the John G. Lewis Memorial Bridge over Catoctin Creek. Among the nearly three dozen people assembled at the director of the Waterford Foundation; tee member Anne Larson; and Virginia Supervisor Geary Higgins (R-Catobridge were old friends and col- Catoctin Creek Scenic Advisory Com- Department of Historic Resources Com- ctin) emceed the dedication ceremony. leagues, including former Leesburg mittee member Patti Psaris; historian munity Services Division Director David As a “studier of historic structures, District Supervisor Joan Rokus, and Catoctin District Planning Commis- Edwards. Several VDOT representatives Lewis was second to none,” he said. Citing who serves on the Goose Creek sioner Eugene Scheel; Taylorstown resi- also were present, including Loudoun his own passion, Higgins said history “is Scenic River Advisory Board; dent Phil Ehrenkranz, who helped Lewis County Transportation and Land Use so important to us; if you don’t know Featherbed Lane resident Nancy in the fight against the dam; Catoctin Director Farid Bigdeli and District Bridge where you came from, you don’t know Doane, who is the former executive Creek Scenic River Advisory Commit- Engineer Gary Runco. Continued on Next Page
Vineyard Square Heads To Court Margaret Morton
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he battle against the Vineyard Square development in downtown Purcellville will continue in a new venue: Loudoun County Circuit Court. Frank Bredimus, the attorney representing Purcellville businesswoman Mary Ellen Stover, confirmed Monday he will file suit to
is too large and out of character with the historic downtown area. Stover, owner of Mary Ellen Stover Antiques at 120 N. 21st St., is challenging Sullivan’s position that Certificates of Design issued for Vineyard Square remain valid. Stover questioned whether the developers had made adequate progress during the year after the permits were issued. The BZA considered Stover’s argument last month and, after a closed session with its attorney, Bob Mitchell, unanimously agreed July 24
that Sullivan’s interpretation of the specific section of the Town Code was correct. On Mitchell’s advice, the BZA did not comment on other questions that surfaced as part of the appeal, including whether Sullivan had the authority to interpret that section of the Town Code and whether Stover had legal standing to file the appeal. Those questions, Mitchell advised, were questions of law that were beyond the panel’s scope to decide. n
Davis Takes Town Of Purcellville Post
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ask a judge to review whether the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals acted correctly July 24 when it voted to uphold a determination by Zoning Administrator Patrick Sullivan that allows the project to move forward. Vineyard Square—a complex of retail and commercial space, and 40 multi-family residential units along North 21st Street—was permitted by right under town zoning. However, the project design required approval by the Board of Architectural Review. Critics of the project say it
aniel C. Davis has been named the new assistant town manager in Purcellville. Davis has served on the Loudoun County government staff for 11 years, most recently as chief of staff in County Administrator Tim Hemstreet’s office. Davis is returning to Purcellville, where he was a student at Patrick Henry College. After graduation, Davis served as legislative aide and a senior project manager for the county and
earned a master’s degree in public administration at George Mason University. Davis will begin his duties Sept. 2. Town Manager Robert W. Lohr Jr. said Davis was chosen from a short list of four candidates and was a unanimous recommendation of the interview panel. “His extensive background experiences at Loudoun County make him an enormous resource in our community. His approach to leadership with integrity, innovation and
collaboration will make him a truly valued member of our team,” Lohr said in a statement. “Mr. Davis will be able to hit the ground running with his knowledge of the complex issues that face our community on a daily basis.” Mayor Kwasi Fraser stated, “He will be instrumental in advancing our efforts to better engage our citizens, drive integrity and transparency, and evaluate and implement leading edge solutions to enhance the way we serve our citizens and conduct business.” n
Daniel C. Davis