THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 4, 1995 TAG: 9511020287
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRENDA HARRIS, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Pocahontas Village is an isolated neighborhood near the heart of Virginia Beach. The area is bounded by Independence Boulevard on the east, railroad tracks on the north, and the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway on the south.
If you look off to the right shortly after the Independence Boulevard interchange when traveling west on the expressway, you can see the backyards in Pocahontas Village.
The yards and houses won't be visible much longer, though, thanks to the imminent installation of sound barriers to block the highway noise. The barriers are being constructed at the residents' requests.
The neighborhood of 354 properties dates to the early 1960s, when developer W.W. Reasor bought the land from Mennonite farmer Jonas Miller.
There were two phases. The eastern section was built first. Nearly all of the homes are ranches, with a few two-story dwellings in the older area. Square footage is in the 1,100-to-1,300 range.
The houses in the newer section are all ranches. They are built on crawl spaces rather than slabs, and most have an additional half-bathroom that the older ranches don't have.
The neighborhood's main entrance is on Euclid Road, although there is also access from Independence Boulevard. The streets are tree-shaded, and the quarter-acre lots afford plenty of room to add on, which many residents have done.
Popular additions include family rooms, and an extra bedroom and bathroom. Many of the original carports have been enclosed. Vinyl siding has replaced the original wood siding on many residences.
When the area was developed, residents did not know the expressway would be built just a few years later. Several houses were torn down because they were in the new road's path. Most residents have decided that being in the expressway's shadow isn't so bad, though, since it is so convenient.
At one time the neighborhood had an active civic league, but residents say it no longer meets. The civic league building is boarded-up. Despite the apparent lack of an organized group of homeowners, though, neighbors are friendly.
Jim and Nancy Gardner raised three boys in their Onondaga Road ranch. They moved in November, 1963. They have added a bathroom, den and fireplace. The den is known as the ``Redskins Den,'' in honor of Nancy's favorite sports team.
``I remember when it was all woods before Pembroke Mall was built,'' Nancy says. ``There was a filling station where Best Products is now, and that's how we'd tell people how to find us.''
The Gardners appreciate the builder's foresight to leave trees. Original residents have mostly been replaced by military and younger families. The Gardners describe the neighborhood as quiet. There are few For Sale signs, and, when houses do come on the market, they usually sell quickly.
Other original owners include John and Louise Jones, who live on Blackfoot Crescent in the newer section. They raised three daughters in their 1,300-square foot ranch. The back porch was enclosed to increase the living area.
``Our children always loved Pocahontas Village,'' says Louise Jones. ``It is a great place to ride bikes, jog or run. When we first moved here, Larkspur and Pocahontas Village were the only housing developments around. We really feel like we're by ourselves, since there is no through traffic. Most people don't seem to know about this neighborhood.''
Pete and Emmie Dock bought their three-bedroom ranch in 1966. A manager with S&W Cafeteria, Pete Dock moved from the Washington, D.C. area.
``I came down for a visit,'' he recalls, ``When I returned to the D.C area, my manager asked what I thought of this area. When he told me I'd be transferred here, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!'' The Docks, who share their home with their four dogs, are very enthusiastic about the area.
``We're close to shopping areas, but far enough away to still feel safe. We feel real safe here,'' Pete says. ``Our neighbors are outstanding. I could not see moving from here.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by Gary C. Knapp
Jim and Nancy Gardner...
Houses in Pocahontas Village...
Graphic with map
About the Neighborhood
by CNB