To prepare for the construction of a four-dwelling subdivision, “The Gateway at Spring Lake,” re-developers in February 2025 tore down the structures on a parcel where Old Courthouse and Beulah roads converge. The parcel is distinctive because from the 1950s to the 1990s, a greenhouse sat on the property.
Over the years, the trees and bushes on the property’s perimeter came to screen the structures from view from Beulah and Old Courthouse roads, as demonstrated in this aerial image from 2024. The blue arrow to the right of the house points to the residual building from the former greenhouse, which is partially obscured from overhead observation by the tree canopy on the south side and by the discoloration of the roof. (The base image for this aerial photograph and the others in this article are from the Fairfax County Historical Imagery Viewer).By 2024 the house was difficult but not impossible to view from Old Courthouse Road.This photograph was from early March, before springtime growth further obstructed the view.This building was once part of the greenhouse. The view is from Old Courthouse Road. On the 2024 aerial photo above, the blue arrow is pointing to this structure.
This view from Four Corners looking south gives a ground-level sense of the vegetation screening the property in the final years of the original structures. Old Courthouse Road on the left leads towards Tysons Corner; Beulah Road on the right takes extends to Vienna.
Driving by on Beulah Road, one wouldn’t have known that there was a house back there.
The property is located at the red “X” in the Four Corners neighborhood and about one mile north of the Town of Vienna. (The base map was accessed via the Fairfax County Historical Imagery Viewer).
History of the House and Greenhouse
The house and greenhouse were probably built by Harold and Emma Bufkin between 1951 and 1953, judging from a map and aerial photograph from the era (see below). In 1951, the Bufkins bought the 1.76-acre parcel from C. Lacey Compton, who had established the Spring Lake subdivision in 1950 (Fairfax County deeds 880:201 & 812:544). The deed for the Bufkin’s purchase gives no indication of a structure at the site.
This topographical map from 1951 indicates that there was no structure yet on the southern side of the Four Corners intersection of Beulah and Old Courthouse roads. In this aerial image from 1953, the house (circled in blue) and greenhouse (circled in green) are now present to the south of the Four Corners intersection. This 1957 topographical map from the United States Geological Survey shows the house (1), what was presumably the office/checkout-desk portion of the greenhouse (2), and the greenhouse itself (3). The latter two were connected to each other, contrary to the representation here, judging from aerial photos.
It would make sense that Harold and Emma were the original owners of the greenhouse, given his occupation and interests. Harold Bufkin had worked at the Department of Agriculture until he retired in 1953, according to the Fairfax Herald. After retirement, “he devoted most of his leisure hours to raising orchids,” and within a few years, “his orchids won him national notice in horticultural circles,” according to The Washington Post. Harold “had a greenhouse and floral shop on Beulah rd. near Vienna,” according to his obituary. At Harold’s death at 67 in 1961, his death certificate listed his occupation as “Florist.”
This article about the Bufkin’s exhibit in 1956 for Vienna’s Ayr Hill Garden Club is from The Standard and is available at the Library of Virginia’s Virginia Chronicle. The Providence Journal added to The Standard’s reference to the Bufkins. “Another highlight of the Show,” according to The Journal, “was a striking display of orchids by Mr. and Mrs. Harold E. Bufkin. Masses of the colorful blossoms were placed in beds of maidenhair ferns and Spanish Moss.” Additional newspaper articles from the period refer to similar exhibits by the Bufkins in other years.
In 1962, Emma Bufkin sold the property to Otis E. Capps, Jr., and his wife, Anne L. Capps (2157:161). The Capps apparently acquired thousands of orchids as part of the transfer, according to the Northern Virginia Sun. The Capps decided not to continue the retail business run at the site by the Bufkins, judging from the Sun’s article, in favor of selling to florists and enthusiasts.
In this charming article from the Northern Virginia Sun in 1961, we learn how Ann Capp and her husband decided to give the florist business a go. This the second part of the newspaper article about Ann Capps’ experiences when she embarked on the flower business at the greenhouse at Old Courthouse and Beulah roads. (The Northern Virginia Sun from 1957 to 1978 is available online at the Library of Virginia’s Virginia Chronicle site for the newspaper).
In 1965, Leon and Dorothy Jean Angel acquired the parcel and its improvements for $30,500 (2679:473). Jean operated “Jean Angel’s Florist” from the greenhouse, judging from her obituary. In 2001, the property left the Angel family’s ownership (11693:1006). In the meantime, the greenhouse had come down in the 1990s, leaving only the front, non-glass portion of the structure, judging from aerial photographs.
As of 1990, the greenhouse still stood.By 1997, the greenhouse was gone from the site (area circled in red). The non-glass portion that remained (green arrow) had presumably housed the front desk and office for the retail business.
The Changing Appearance of the Lot
As of 1960, the lot appears to have few, if any, mature trees. The opposite side of Old Courthouse Road remains undeveloped. By 1972, the house and greenhouse now have neighbors across the way on Old Courthouse Road.The vegetation remains light to the north of the structures.A color shot of the property as it looked almost 50 years ago as of this writing.
The End: February 2025
In 2018, when the Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval for the new subdivision, a commissioner touted that the project would include what Inside NOVA characterized as “extensive tree-saving efforts.”This photo looks from Beulah Road across the northern end of the property towards Old Courthouse Road.After the vegetation on Old Courthouse Road was removed, the house (right) and what remained of the original greenhouse building (left) were in clear view from Old Courthouse Road. This photograph is from February 8, 2025. When the site-clearing service removed trees and bushes, the house emerged in view.The view to the northwest along the eastern perimeter of the property and up Old Courthouse Road (right) towards the Four Corners intersection, February 6, 2025.The destruction of the house (center) and the remaining portion of the greenhouse (left) began on 19 February 2025. The work continues in this photo, from 20 February.February 20, 2025.By 22 February 2025, the structures and much of the vegetation were gone, leaving a Deere and a Hitachi with nothing more to chew up. This is a view from Old Courthouse Road.
Very interesting article since my relatives all lived across Beaulah Rd. I used to play in the warm humid earthy greenhouse with the Capp girls along time ago. Thanks for sharing.
Your firsthand experience adds warmth–no pun intended– to what otherwise would be my somewhat dry account of the property. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Very interesting article since my relatives all lived across Beaulah Rd. I used to play in the warm humid earthy greenhouse with the Capp girls along time ago. Thanks for sharing.
Your firsthand experience adds warmth–no pun intended– to what otherwise would be my somewhat dry account of the property. Thank you for reading and commenting!