Neal Augenstein, wtop.com
ARLINGTON, Va. – Neighbors who live near the Overlee Community Pool just off Lee Highway in Arlington are very familiar with a 14-year-old girl named Margaret — despite the fact that she died in 1913.
“Margaret was the little girl who, in the 1800s, lived up here at the house — she passed away unexpectedly,” says Jeff Schreiner, construction manager in charge of renovations at the pool.
“I haven’t seen her, but I keep my eyes open for her,” he says.
A Victorian-era house that once served as the pool’s clubhouse was demolished in February, Schreiner says. As workers were preparing to raze the home, The Examiner reports one construction worker reportedly saw Margaret peering from a window.
After encountering the girl inside the house, the worker reportedly asked to be transferred to another project.
“She’s watching over the project,” says Schreiner, who acknowledges being a believer.
Neighbors have embraced Margaret’s presence over the years, knitting her into community stories. Some warned construction crews they might run into her.
A member of the pool club tells The Examiner Margaret is welcome to live in the new clubhouse.
Follow Neal Augenstein and WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
