CW History
Community Developed by Hyman Bernstein and Sons
I would like to credit some of the original homeowners and long-time Canterbury Woods residents for some of the content included in this section. This includes, Gregg Prillaman, Betty Bowman, Tom Shoop, Susan Waltman, Jim and Mary Ann Shepherd, and others. Some of their original articles can be found on the “Resident Articles” section of the CW History menu.
Hyman Bernstein and Sons were the developer for Canterbury Woods and construction began in 1963. The subdivision was originally envisioned for 900 homes, but in the end only 417 homes were built. The land on which the remaining homes were to be built were sold to other developers.
The name Canterbury Woods came from the national obsession in the early 1960s with medieval England flowing from the popularity of the musical Camelot. The name “Camelot” was already taken by the Camelot subdivision on the other side of Little River Turnpike, so Bernstein named our development after Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” and gave most of the streets British names like Queen Elizabeth, King Richard, Chanticleer, Southampton, Blackpool, and English. He named others, according to Betty Bowman, after characters in mythology or ancient history like Sinon, Hercules, Midas, Centaurs, Cicero, Nero, and Ganelon – and he named some after his favorite books and movies like Fleming after Ian Fleming who wrote the James Bond books and Ponderosa after the ranch on the TV show Bonanza.
As is the case today, a large percentage of the original owners in CW worked with the Federal Government or Federal contractors. The government and contracting firms were expanding dramatically during the 1960s to support the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and other government programs. In addition, there were many CW residents that were WWII veterans. Bill Bowman, for example, was a retired Air Force Colonel who had flown bombers during WWII and B-52s in the 1950s, Dalton Bell was in the Navy during WWII and his wife was a German war bride, another neighbor had served in Patton’s 3rd Army all the way from Normandy to Berlin, and there were many more.
According to a long-time CW resident, Betty Bowman, Hyman Bernstein had a falling out with his sons when the last stages of Canterbury Woods were being built. As a result, the sons bought the land across Wakefield Chapel Road and declared they would build a much nicer development to show up their father. They built Chapel Hill in the early 1970s with a lake, buried utilities, and larger, grander homes. Betty Bowman was also a sales rep for those homes and said most sold between $35,000 and $40,000 in the early 1970s.
In the beginning phases of Canterbury Woods there were 7 models that were offered. The King Henry ($23,990), the Queen Anne ($24,990), the King John ($25,490), the Prince of Wales ($26, 490), the Duke of Burgundy ($26, 490), the Queen Elizabeth ($26,490), and the King Richard ($27,990). Options included a corner lot ($250), basement ($2,000 unfinished), Carport ($795/single, $1500/double), Garage ($1500/single), Central AC (gas) ($1395), Fireplace ($650), Intercom system ($225), upgraded new brick ($250), and antique used brick ($350).
In 1965 the interest rates were around 5.45%, the population of Fairfax County was 329, 455, the median value of owner occupied housing for Fairfax County in 1960 was $18,700 and by 1970 it was $35,300. The median family income for Fairfax County in 1960 was $8,606 and by 1970 it was $15,707. By comparison, the median family income in the U.S. for 1965 was $6,900, and a 1965 Mustang Convertible would set you back approximately $2,700.
Straight from an original Penn Park Realty Corporation pamphlet
CANTERBURY WOODS … a royal community of colonial homes with luxury features fit for a king ‘n queen! You expect to hear a herald’s trumpet and the sound of Cathedral bells as you step through the private entrance of these wooded estates and behold Virginia’s newest prestige community! Woodlands stretch before your eyes and you drink in the beauty of one hundred acres of parkland, hear the merry sound of a brook that wends its way through the center of Canterbury Woods! It’s the perfect storybook setting for these traditionally-styled colonial homes in seven designs and dozens of different facades that give them individuality. Ahl Yes, Canterbury Woods is a community crowned with unique features where you and your family will enjoy a happy reign!
CANTERBURY WOODS … where the homes have been planned for perfection down to the smallest detail, where everything you see from plans and setting to its superbly convenient location will delight you! Some of the plans are old favorites of yours beautifully brought up to date with new innovations. Others are uniquely fresh in concept.
The gamut of styles go from homey ramblers and two-story colonials to split foyer colonials and delightful split-level styles – all in the traditional colonial design. Handsome four and five bedroom homes with screened barbecue porches boasting exterior fireplaces, raised fireplace walls, and reception rooms in almost every one of these homes.
Homey ranch or kitchen-family rooms with cooking islands, sewing rooms, paneled recreation rooms, libraries, built-in bars, the continental master suite with bath-dressing room and elegant vanity. There are acres and acres of natural parkland with planned recreational facilities, and beautifully wooded lots, which provide a perfect backdrop for these lovely homes. It is truly one of the most unusual locations for a community. Set in one of the most secluded settings in Northern Virginia yet minutes from Annandale or Springfield, just five minutes from the Capital Beltway and less than twenty minutes from Bethesda and downtown Washington. Fairfax County schools, churches and shopping centers are nearby. Here is one of the most unique communities in the entire Metropolitan area!
