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The community of Fallswood was started in 1971. It was planned by the architect A.G. Mumma and built by R.J.L. Associates, being their only foray into contemporary home development. Indeed, Fallswoods was one of only a few subdivisions of its type in
The original sales brochure provided the following:
"Fallswood is radiant with serene natural beauty you thought no longer existed in our busy world. The loveliness of peaceful pasturelands with horses grazing in the meadow, cool green splendor of large trees -- poplar, oak, birch, sycamore -- shading your home and neighborhood streets, the priceless luxury of still summer evenings whose silence is broken only by the crickets. Fallswood gives tranquility back to you in an intimate cluster of new homes inside the Beltway at Falls Church, Virginia. Four contemporary designs come alive with architectural excitement inside and out, highlighting the natural appeal of rough-hewn woods and sleek glass walls that open up your rooms to trees and sunshine. Inside, soaring cathedral ceilings, dramatic living rooms, friendly family rooms, separate dining rooms, breakfast rooms, up to 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, extra storage room, hardwood floors, basements available in some models, and a wide variety of options to make your own family’s housing dreams come true...at reasonable prices. And you'll love your new neighborhood, exclusive and extremely convenient to good schools, neighborhood shopping, Tysons Corner Center and inside the Beltway for easy commuting."
In 1971, the section on Nottingham Drive from Virginia Lane thru Appledore Court was completed. The second and final section up Nottingham from Appledore Court to the end of Nottingham, including Wincanton Court, was completed in early 1973. Forty of the forty-two homes comprised three model types: the 'A' (The Adventure), 'C' (The Chaparral), and 'D' (The Dorado). They were rotated externally at different angles to provide visual variation. Also, the interior designs for each model type varied by means of mirror image. The two other homes - at 2408 Nottingham and 7801 Appledore - were unique variations. The current home at 2431 Nottingham has replaced a former 'C' home.
Until the mid-1970's, what is now Idylwood Park was a scrub forest. A strip of woods going along the rear of the homes on the park side of Nottingham Road was property of the >Fairfax county school system and in circa 2007 was transferred to the Fairfax County Park Authority.
During the first several years of Fallswood, Route 66 and the W&OD bike/jogging trail were in the planning stage. A home dating to 1910 sat at a point on the current east bound lanes of Route 66 and faced what is now the Nottingham Road entrance to the trail. Also, where the 7802A thru 7802C Wincanton Court mailboxes stand was a large, beautiful tree - perhaps a maple - which reportedly dated to the mid-nineteenth century and was used as a surveyor's landmark. Unfortunately, its health deteriorated and it died within five years of the Wincanton Court development.
Starting in mid-1996, the property now encompassing 7802A-C thru 7806 Wincanton Court - formerly owned by Bob and Noel Newell - was subdivided and developed into four homes. Although not named as a separate area, these homeowners are warmly accepted by Fallswood residents as adjunct neighbors.
-Larry Steinberg