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West Hills Park-Westavia Woods History
Our neighborhoods were being built in the early 1960s as an outgrowth of urban sprawl. At this point in time, most to all the lots in the original West Hills neighborhood had been sold, and construction was nearly completed in the area near the West Hills Elementary School. Vanosdale Road ended at a two lane Middlebrook Pike, and Francis Road was not considered an active street as it only served a few scattered residents and farms in the outskirts of town. West Town Mall was only a concept yet to be built.
The 1960s
Dr. and Mrs. Prados were the first to build in Westavia Woods. They purchased the largest site of slightly more than two acres in order to raise their three daughters - one of whom lives on Westavia Drive, just down the street. The Prados were instumental in purchasing the right of way of Stagecoach Trail so that the road could never be extended through their property. This has saved the neighborhood from through traffic generated by the apartment complexes built around the neighborhood. The Prados still live here.
The next house to be completed was the one at 7111 Westavia Drive. Though the original owner, Dr. Carroll, moved away shortly after her husband was killed at the Stagecoach Trail and Francis Road intersection, the house has been rented continuously by some pretty neat people. Virginia lives here now with her son who is attending medical school in Memphis, but comes home frequently. This home has the second largest lot. This home and the one at 7131 Stagecoach Trail were built by the same contractor.
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| | 7111 Westavia Drive | 7131 Stagecoach Trall |
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The 1970s
By the early 1970s most of the homes in West Hills Park and Westavia Woods were built. West Town Mall would be built in the mid-1970s and Bearden Middle School would be built by the mid to late 1970s. The neighborhood was still officially located in Knox County, but would be annexed soon. Francis Road was being used more frequently as newer suburbs were being built down Francis Road. Some businesses along Middlebrook Pike were being built within walking distace of the neighborhoods. A dentist built an office at the corner of Middlebrook Pike and Francis, and Weigel's built a gas station/convenience store next to the office. Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, more businesses were located here. These included a new office complex, another gas station, a strip mall, a nursing home, a very small food kiosk, which cooks barbeque in the fall and winter, and offers snowcones in the summer, and, of course, Middlebrook Liquor Store, a favorite place where a lot of the neighbors seems to meet accidentally.
The 1980s
During the early 1980s, traffic had increased along Middlebrook Pike to the point where the road was widened and straightened. Traffic along Francis also increased. Two teenagers in Westavia Woods neighborhood were killed in traffic accidents at this time - one on Middlebrook Pike and one on Francis Road. During the 1980s, there were five Ph.D.s living in Westavia Woods, and four living in West Hills Park. New houses were being built in the existing lots left by the previous developer. Most residents were white and middle class. The neighborhoods had been annexed into the city, but Cedar Bluff was still in the county. Unfortunately, due to the Middlebrook Pike Road construction project, a number of homes lost their front yards and were rezoned commercial, which, of course, increased traffic. One homeowner fought and refused to sell or have her land taken, she is currently still in business selling fresh fruit/vegetables in the summer and has a pumpkin display in the fall.
The New Houses on the Block
The 1990s - Now
I moved into Westavia Woods in 1994, and I refuse to leave. On the very first day, I was greeted by a neighbor who handed me a map of the neighborhood with contact information, and a bottle of champagne. Later that afternoon, another neighbor came by with some fast food. I know everyone in Westavia Woods, and about ten of the long time residents in West Hills Park. It seems that for the most part, once you move here, you tend to stay.
Virginia, who rents, is trying to purchase Wendy's house. Wendy's moving because her horrid husband divorced her 18 months after she gave birth to their daughter. I hope he finds himself, but I won't tell you where I hope that is. Lisa and her family is currently living with Lynette. Lisa's husband had an accident and is paralyzed. Her gets around in his chair pretty well, but we are now having our parties at Marion's because she has the handicapped ramp.
Each new resident is given a map of the neighborhood and contact information, as well as a bottle of champagne. (That way we can see who drinks and who would be interested in our summer "teas.") The demographics have stayed mostly the same. We have four Ph.D.s living in Westavia Woods (three retired), and three Ph.Ds (two retired) and one M.D. in West Hills Park. There are three hispanic and one asian family living in our homeowners association area. Unfortunately, we are no longer upwardly mobile residents. Some of our new neighbors don't care to take care of their homes or join in to meet their next door neighbors. As at least one long time resident has said: The neighborhood is going to hell. (Of course this was said after a police officer handcuffed an escaped inmate that took refuge in the Home of Never Ending Christmas Lights.)
As of 2002, the traffic count on Francis is slightly less than 8000 cars per day (MPC - Traffic Counts for Knox County). Already we cannot escape the noise of car travel. There has been discussion going on about widening Francis to five lanes - this will make our neighborhoods even more unattractive and increase cut through traffic in the West Hills Park area. The things that keep me here are my neighbors, so I want to stay.
The House of Never Ending Christmas Lights
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