The Springfield/Franconia area of Northern Virginia has existed as a community since the 1870s, however its present suburban form did not start to develop until 1946 when Edward Carr, a Realtor, subdivided the area along the Henry Shirley Highway now known as I-95 and I-395. Ready access to Washington via this highway spurred fast growth throughout the 1950s and 1960s and led to development of Robert E. Lee High School and the Springfield Mall in the 1970s. Today, Springfield/Franconia is a widely residential community offering its residents a variety of housing, a regional mall, retail shops, parks, recreational facilities and convenient commuting options.
