Alexandria, Virginia - The Early History

Alexandria was first settled in 1695 as part of the British Colony of Virginia. It was not until the mid 1700's that the area was named Alexandria, in honor of the family of Captain Philip Alexander II and his cousin Captain John Alexander. The two owned more than 500 acres, and both gave land to assist in the development of Alexandria. In 1749 the county surveyor laid out streets and lots that were auctioned off in July of 1749. Soon after establishment of the town it was called Bellhaven in honor of a Scottish patriot, but it fell out of favor a few years later. In 1779 the town of Alexandria was officially incorporated.

In 1791, George Washington chose Alexandria chose Alexandria to become included in the District of Columbia. Old Town Alexandria and all of Arlington County were actually ceded to the U.S. Government to form the District of Columbia. It was not until 1846 that Old Town and parts of Arlington County were retroceded to Virginia, and in 1852 the City of Alexandria was re-chartered.

During this period the British fleet raided Alexandria during the War of 1812, looting shops and warehouses as terms of the surrender. Alexandria remained an important port town, and from 1828 through 1836, the Franklin & Armfield Slave Market operated in Alexandria as one of the largest slave trading companies in the country.

During the Civil War, the first fatalities of the War occurred in Alexandria. Union troops occupied Alexandria until the end of the Civil War. For escaped slaves, the military occupation created opportunity of freedom and employment. In fact, the escaped slaves accounted for more than half the population of Alexandria County.

Alexandria Real Estate Information - Looking to Buy or Sell a home in Alexandria? Email or call your Northern Virginia Real Estate Expert, Susan Craft, REALTOR®, CRS - Susan@SusanCraft.com or (703) 216-4501 - Susan's Website - SusanCraft.com

Susan is a proud member of the distinguished TEAM at McEnearney Associates - 109 S Pitt Street Alexandria, VA 22314For Additional Information

Visit Susan's Website at SusanCraft.com

Would you like Auto-Emails of all new Blog Posts? Use the Subscribe To: button on the right hand side of the main blog at http://www.alexandria-virginia-information.com