In designing Rockwater Village, the founders sought to create a neighborhood with beautiful houses and the highest quality of life. Homes are moments from the Arkansas River, a bike trail, downtown, and much more. The developers also sought to provide a meaningful sense of place. Embracing and honoring history serves to add meaning to ordinary things.

Many of the street names in the Gardens neighborhood have far more meaning than simply serving as a locational address for a house. Most notably, Alconbury Street is named after Alconbury Airfield located in England. During World War II, both the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Force flew out of Alconbury in their fight against the Nazis.

Lt. William Ferrell, the father of Rockwater founder Lisa Ferrell, was stationed at Alconbury during World War II. Lt. Ferrell, who later rose to the rank of Major, flew over 25 missions during the war. King George VI was one of the first visitors to Alconbury to welcome the USAAF pilots and crews when they first arrived in England.

Lisa remembers her father talking about baseball games, trips to London, and meeting an English beauty, Olive, who later became his wife and Lisa’s mother. He purposefully avoided talk of missions and the hardship that he and fellow pilots and crewmembers must have endured. Lisa’s mom recalls watching battles overhead between RAF pilots and German aircraft and talks about the long wait for word of safe return of her fiancé.

Today, Alconbury Street serves as a daily reminder to the residents of Rockwater Village of the everyday heroes that served their countries so well and so bravely.