Five years after Lt. Commander Gerald Ford left the Navy, he and his family rented a dwelling in the Parkfairfax neighborhood of Alexandria. Four years after that, in 1955, during his fourth year in Congress, they moved into their newly-built  home on Crown View Drive. Their next move was to the White House, when Ford became president after Richard Nixon resigned in 1974.

The Crown View Drive house is now a National Historic Landmark. It is listed for sale at $999,000 with Joan Dixon at McEnearney Associates. Call 549-9292.
In addition to its historical interest, it is a delightful example of the classic all-American home.

The exterior cheerfully combines red brick with white siding and blue shutters. To the left of the entrance, the living room features a light neutral dcor with wooden bookshelves and a picture window overlooking the rear pool and garden.
The adjoining library boasts wooden bookshelves, paneled walls and more pool views. It is open to the kitchen, with its knotty pine walls and cabinets. A tiled powder room stands nearby.

Across the entrance from the living room, behind a bay window, the former garage was converted into a living area for the Secret Service during Fords vice presidency. It is a large, bright area, with hardwood floors and a wall of windows. Parking is now available on the driveway.

On the second floor, four bedrooms share two full baths and one half bath. This was installed at Susan Fords behest, as the only daughter among three sons.

Another powder room stands on the lower level, which also houses the laundry room. The large recreation area features wooden molding and a brick fireplace.

The Ford children attended the public schools: MacArthur Elementary, Hammond Middle and T.C. Williams High.