Tauxemont’s significance lies in its conscious effort to blend in harmoniously with its topography. Mature trees, a natural landscape with a variety of birds and wildlife, homes sited at angles on walkable streets, and a community well water system are, by design, what makes Tauxemont’s character unique from neighboring communities and cherished by ‘Tauxemonters’ past and present.

Tauxemont’s History

The neighborhood of Tauxemont was founded in 1941 by a group of twenty, like-minded families who desired to move from apartment life in Arlington, VA into homes of their own. This group - most of whom worked for the Federal government - formed a cooperative and purchased 12.36 acres of undeveloped land close to the Potomac River, eight miles south of Washington, DC. Formerly part of a dairy farm, they paid for $5,680.10 for this parcel of land, with a plan to build twenty simple, modern, affordable houses. They named their new development 'Tauxemont', after one member’s discovery that the Taux (aka Dogue) Indians resided in the same area in pre-Colonial times.

One of the co-op’s members, Robert C. Davenport, volunteered to serve as president of the ‘Tauxemont Cooperative Houses’. Another co-op member, architect Alexander Knowlton, volunteered to design the basic single-story houses. Built on slabs, with cement block exteriors and utilitarian interior designs, each of the original twenty houses built on newly-named ‘Tauxemont Road’ measured just under 1,200 square feet and cost $5,500.00. The site plan oriented each house at an angle to avoid a cookie cutter look from the street, provide comfort and privacy, and coexist in harmony with the natural, wooded setting.

When interest grew after the establishment of ‘Section I’, Mr. Davenport expanded Tauxemont, developing Sections II and III. The interior designs of the Section II and III houses were altered slightly from the original design, and leftover World War II materiel - including aluminum - was incorporated into the construction of a number of houses in Section III (two of which still have their original metal roofs intact today). By the end of 1948 a total of 107 homes completed the Tauxemont subdivision.

As the first subdivision built in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County - when county services did not exist - Tauxemont’s self-sufficiency was a necessity. In that cooperative spirit, the founding community members established a well water system to provide water to residents, created a nursery school for their own children, and built its own community building.

In the middle of the century, Tauxemont was recognized as a progressive development. With the successful establishment of Tauxemont under his belt, Robert Davenport went on to develop nearby Hollin Hills, the well-known subdivision featuring the architectural work of modernist Charles Goodman. Mr. Goodman’s work can also be seen in a number of additions to Tauxemont homes.

Tauxemont’s charm has captivated the many artists and architects, writers and poets, photographers and filmmakers, educators and engineers, attorneys and environmentalists, and all lovers of nature who have had the opportunity to call it home.

Tauxemont Today

Tauxemont’s significance as a mid-century gem has been recognized by its inclusion as ‘Tauxemont Historic District’ in the Virginia Landmarks Register (#029-5199, listed 12/7/05) and the National Register of Historic Places  (#06000033, listed 2/6/06).

In addition to the well water system that continues to provide pure, delicious water to residents today, Tauxemont’s most notable feature remains the welcoming canopy of its trees and natural, wooded environment. Residents also enjoy a park - Wellemeyer Field - nature paths, and tennis courts.

For over 80 years, the Tauxemont Community Association’s (TCA) community building has been home to Tauxemont Cooperative Preschool*. Children of current Tauxemont residents are extended priority enrollment and advance registration for both the Preschool and Nature Camp.

*Tauxemont Cooperative Preschool is privately-owned and operated, and not a part of TCA. Contact Tauxemont Cooperative Preschool directly for admissions information.