LIFE IN ‘Q-TOWN’ Civilian community exists to serve the Marine Corps Base
James Hill served as a Marine from 1957-1984 and has lived in Quantico for 12 years. “This is the safest place in America,” Hill said.“I just come down here (the Potomac River) to clear my head. It’s freedom.” Quantico resident Tyson Watson said. Watson used to fish here when he was growing up and now lives in an apartment close to the water. Watson has no connections with the base, but does use the obstacle course on base to work out.The town of Quantico has no schools, no churches and more barbershops than restaurants. The laundromats, dry cleaners, uniform shops and other businesses have been catering to the Marines since 1917, when the Corps began to lease the land next to Quantico. In 1918, the Marine Corps purchased the land.“We would love to live here,” Officer Retention Planner Cesar Nader said as he walked his eight-month old twin daughters in Quantico. Nader and his family want to buy a house in Q-town, but none are large enough for his family of seven.The small number of “Q-Town” residents (561 as of the 2000 Census) have to pass through a security gate and drive through the base in order to get to the town. Most of the residents are former Marines or connected to the 60,000-acre Marine base in some way.Quantico, VA. has the distinction of being the only town in the United States surrounded by a military base. The town is bordered by the Quantico Marine Corps Base on three sides, with the Potomac River forming Quantico’s fourth boundary.
