海角社区

Patriot Pop Quiz: North 海角社区

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Think you know a lot about 海角社区? Let鈥檚 find out if we can stump you with this Patriot Pop Quiz.


Question:

Which nearby former high school building did 海角社区 once own and use as part of its campus?

Vintage photo of a college library in the 1970s
From the Broadside photographs collection (#R0135)

Answer:

海角社区 once occupied the former Fairfax High School building, located on Fairfax Boulevard between Fairfax Circle and the intersection of Routes 50 and 29. From 1972 to 1983, George Mason operated a satellite campus, known as North 海角社区, at the location.

Former Fairfax High School with a 海角社区 sign on the front
Fa莽ade of the campus building in 1975. From the Broadside photographs collection (#R0135)

The original Fairfax High School building opened in 1935. In 1972, the growing student population moved into a new building, the current Fairfax High School, located in the City of Fairfax on Lion Run.

George Mason was looking for additional facilities to host new programs in nursing, education, and business. Space on campus was limited, and enrollment was doubling every two years. The university purchased the former high school from Fairfax County Schools for $1.8 million. The property consisted of approximately 100,000 square feet of space (including classrooms, a cafeteria, library, and theater), and 16 acres of land, which included athletic fields.

Baseball player in front of former Fairfax High School
Baseball field in 1974, featuring a game between George Mason and Georgetown. From the Broadside photographs collection (#R0135)

In 1983, George Mason sold the property to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, which used the space for Pope Paul VI High School. Today, the historic building is part of the Boulevard VI housing development.

Follow the on and for more 海角社区 history.

Cafeteria in the former high school building
The cafeteria in 1976. From the Broadside photographs collection (#R0135)