About Alexandria's Old Town

With floor-to-ceiling windows and wrap-around balconies, the 23-story Alexandria House invites sunlight and star-gazing. Constructed of concrete and stucco in 1975, the building affords spectacular views of National Harbor, the Maryland shore, the Capitol and the landmark Masonic Memorial looming above Old Town.

Located at the corner of Madison Street and North Pitt Street, Alexandria House overlooks Oronoco Park just four blocks from the Potomac River. As if the delights of Old Town weren't enough, it boasts the following amenities:

• Rooftop pool and observation deck
• concierge
• party room,
• Sauna and exercise room
• Security system featuring a locked main entrance and exterior cameras
• Fire detection system
• Storage
• Underground garage

The Arlington National Cemetary is recognized around the country and around the world, but nearby is a similar treasure from our nation's heritage: the Alexandria National Cemetery.

Arlington National Cemetery was featured in Gardens of Stone and numerous other feature films. This has no doubt added to Arlington's mystique and celebrity. Arlington Cemetery was carved from the farm of Robert E. Lee, a native of Alexandria. This is one of many connections between Arlington and Alexandria National Cemeteries.

The five acres of Alexandria National Cemetery are tiny compared to Arlington's 612 acres. Newcomers and those who don't know the history of the area may be surprised to learn that while Alexandria was a colonial era settlement, Arlington is a relatively new creation. (Check out Alexandria's best real estate deal ever!)

Alexandria National Cemetery predates the cemetery in Arlington and is in some ways the reason for Arlington's existence. Alexandria National Cemetery was established during the Civil War in 1862 as one of the original 14 national cemeteries.

The first four acres of Alexandria National Cemetery were purchased by the US goverment from what was to be Spring Garden Farm. By 1870, the United States purchased additional land to bring the cemetery up to its current size.

The first burials made in Alexandria National Cemetery were soldiers who died during training for the Civil War. Additionally, some casualties were sick or diseased soldiers from one of the numerous hospitals around Alexandria. The death and destruction wrought by the Civil War exceeded all expectations. It was evident that Alexandria National Cemetery would be woefully short of the needs imposed by the War. By 1864, Alexandria National Cemetery was nearly filled to capacity. In large part, the shortage of space in Alexandria led to the planning, development and construction of Arlington National Cemetery.

After the Civil War, improvements were made to the design of Alexandria National Cemetery and by 1871 the cemetery had added a fountain, a cobblestone avenue and graveled walkways. A wrought-iron rostrum, a small pond and a greenhouse were added as well. The primary building on grounds is a brownstone structure---the superintendent’s lodge. The lodge dating to 1870 is the oldest surviving building on the grounds. The lodge is constructed in a style and with materials popular from the era and perhaps best recognized in the the Smithsonian Institution's "Castle," and the U.S. Capitol floor and rotunda door frames.

Like other national cemeteries, the Alexandria National Cemetery featured a "comfort station" built in 1887. This building is one of only a few such structures to survive to the present day. In 1927, the station significantly altered by adding a dining room and converting the facility into a kitchen/store room and tool-shed/toilet. The entire cemetery is surrounded by a wall of Seneca sandstone with River Blue Stone coping. (This is the same material used to build the superintendent's lodge.) Visitors gain entry by passing through a 12-foot wide ornamental cast-iron gate at the Wilkes Street entrance.

In the 1930's the flagpole was added and in 1995 the cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic places. There is no grave locator or kiosk on the grounds and the cemetery only has room for cremated remains and certain relatives of persons already buried at Alexandria National Cemetery.

Among other notable persons buried at the Alexandria National Cemetery are several "Buffalo Soldiers"---a nickname for several Cavalry Regiments of the US Army. Several African-American regiments of Buffalo Soldiers were formed during the Civil War to fight alongside the Union Army. Among these were the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and many United States Colored Troops Regiments. After the Civil War, the Buffalo Soldiers were established by Congress as the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army. It is fitting that these soldiers are buried near Alexandria's African American Heritage Park.

Together with the African American Heritage Park the Alexandria National Cemetery makes up the eastern boundary of the Carlyle District.

One of the busiest intersections in Old Town Alexandria occurs where Prince St. crosses Washington St. This intersection is dominated by a memorial of the U.S. Civil War. Over the years, and on several occasions, drivers have crashed their vehicles into the statue. As a result some folks filed petitions to have the memorial moved. But the statue has not moved and remains a fixture in Alexandria.

I doubt the statue ever will be moved because of the historical significance of the statue's location. In 1861, at the place where the statue now stands, the sons and fathers, brothers and men of Alexandria gathered to pick up arms against the Union. After the Civil War, the surviving veterans formed a chapter of the United Confederate Veterans. Together members of the organization commissioned a memorial for their fallen comrades. The statue's design depicts an unarmed Confederate soldier at Appomattox. The soldier's head is bowed as he observes the Confederate surrender. The statue was dedicated on May 24th, 1889.

The George Washington Parkway is one in the same with Washington St. as the Parkway passes through Old Town, and thus the Parkway, and some of Old Town's heaviest traffic, passes the statue. As originally planned, the Confederate Statue was surrounded by a fence and ornamental gas lamps, but by 1923, motor vehicles and electric lights caused a change in design. The traffic continue to increase on South Washington Street and 1932 when construction of the Parkway was completed, the grounds surrounding the statue were paved over. The pictures below depict the statue as it looked prior to the completion of the GW Parkway at a time when motor vehicles were still relatively uncommon.

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In 1669 John Alexander bought the land that became Old Town from an English ship captain. John Alexander paid the tidy sum of 6,000 pounds of tobacco. Almost twenty years later, the town of Alexandria was formally established in 1749.

Today, visitors, tourists and travellers alike come to Alexandria VA to taste the quaint colonial and historical feel of this city not far from Washington DC. It's a place frequented by historical figures like George Washington and Robert E. Lee. Even for those like me, who were born in Fairfax and who have lived for many years in Alexandria, one never tires of the rich heritage of Alexandria.

Maybe that's because there's always something to do in Alexandria. A bike ride or a stroll along the Potomac Waterfront is pleasant, or perhaps a boat ride on the river. There are more than a hundred restaurants in Old Town alone. Standard favorites such as seafood, steak or Italian are here, as well as ethnic cuisine from around the world. For a taste of the colonial try Gadsby's Tavern, where George ate.

Alexandria is easily accessed by Metro and free trolley. The King St. trolley passes antiques shops, art galleries, boutiques and shops. Take a walking tour of Alexandria, or visit the Ramsay House to get a feel of Old Town.

With the new US Patent & Trademark Office, Alexandria's proximity to the Pentagon and DC and it's easy access to Fort Belvoir and Bowling AFB, every day more people discover why this is such a great place to live and work. I work, play and live in and around Alexandria VA. I'd love to help you find a place but doubt I can top the deal that John Alexander got when he paid 6,000 pounds of tobacco for his homestead. Today, that much tobacco might set you back $9000! The good news is that 6,000 pounds of tobacco will cover your closing costs for most condos in Alexandria!

There are 5 great reasons to visit Alexandria’s Sixth Annual Festival of the Arts this coming weekend, September 13-14:

1. It is one of the top 100 art fairs in the country.
2. Artist demonstrations and hands on activities at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
3. A family “respite” area in the yard of historic Christ Church Alexandria with refreshments and moon-bounce.
4. More than $15 million in spectacular paintings, life-size sculptures, handcrafted jewelry, photography, ceramics and more.
5. A chance to purchase original pieces and talk to the artists.

Plus you’ll have a chance to mosey around Old Town, check out the Alexandria Waterfront, sample myriad shops and restaurants and maybe even check out a few open houses!

The festival will run from 10:00am to 7:00pm on Saturday and from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday. Coming in from the District or outside the beltway? Take Metro to King Street and then ride the King Street Trolley up, its so easy.

See you there,

Michael