Alexandria, Virginia History*

Alexandria, which is almost 50 years older than the City of Washington, is one of America's most historic communities. The charm of the 'Old and Historic District' is carefully preserved by strict architectural and demolition control. Click here to see a map of Old Town.  

In 1608, Captain John Smith explored the area that was to become Alexandria. In 1669 Sir William Berkeley, Governor of Virginia, granted 6,000 acres of land to Robert Howsing, an English ship captain, in exchange for bringing 120 colonists to Virginia. The Howsing tract extended along the Potomac River from Hunting Creek on the south to the Little Falls on the north. Within a month, the land was sold to John Alexander for 6,600 pounds of tobacco.

By the early 1700s, tobacco warehouses were springing up along the Potomac and by mid-century, English merchants who owned real estate in the area petitioned the Virginia General Assembly to establish a town near one of the warehouses to facilititate shipping.

In the spring of 1779 Surveyor John West, assisted by 17-year-old Geoerge Washington, laid off 60 acres of the Howsing tract and lots were auctioned off July 13 and 14, 1749.
The new town was named Alexandria in honor of its original owner, Scotsman John Alexander, who had purchased it 100 years before.

Water Street (now Lee), Fairfax, and Royal Streets were laid out in a north/south orientation. Fairfax was named for Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax and Baron of Cameron, proprietor of the Northern Neck of Virginia. Duke, Prince, King, Cameron (also named for Lord Fairfax), Queen, Princess, and Oronoco Streets run east and west. Oronoco, a variety of tobacco, was transported to the area's first warehouses at the foot of this street, giving it its name. Pitt Street was named for a British prime minister, and St. Asaph for a Welsh bishop who sympathized with the colonies. Wolfe Street was named for the general who captured Quebec, Wilkes Street for an Englishman who worked for liberty, and Gibbon Street for a writer of history. Columbus* and Alfred* were named after members of the Alexander family. Patrick and Henry Streets honor the Virginia patriot who said, 'Give me liberty or give me death.' Fayette was named for General Lafayette. Washington and Lee streets were named later to honor these famous Virginians.

Incorporated in 1779, Alexandria became a port of entry for foreign vessels and a major export center for flour and hemp. Its bustling harbor teemed with ships which traversed the high seas and engaged in international and coast-wide trade. The streets were lined with substantial brick houses and the 'sound of the hammer and trowel were at work everywhere.'

In 'Landmarks of Old Prince William County,' it is said that a visitor, the Duc de La Rochfoucauld Liancourt, commented: 'Alexandria is beyond all comparison the handsomest town in Virginia--indeed is among the finest in the United States.'

In 1789, Alexandria and a portion of Fairfax County were ceded by the State of Virginia to become a part of the newly created 10-mile-square District of Columbia. Formally accepted by Congress in 1801, Alexandria remained under the aegis of the new federal government until it was retroceded to Virginia in 1847. In 1852, it acquired city status and gained a new charter.

At the time of the Revolution, Alexandria was one of the principal colonial trading centers and ports. Alexandria's political, social, and commercial interests were of great importance to many local residents. George Washington drilled militia troops at Market Square in 1754, and the town served as a supply and hospital center during the Revolutionary conflict. English General Braddock made his headquarters in Alexandria and occupied the Carlyle House while planning his campaign against the French in 1755. Captured and held for ransom by the British during the War of 1812, Alexandria's warehouses were plundered by the enemy.

'Light Horse Harry' Lee, a Revolutionary War general, and the father of Robert E. Lee, brought his family to Alexandria in 1810. Robert lived here until his departure for West Point in June, 1825.

In the years prior to the Civil War, industry grew and flourished and shipping through the Alexandria Canal was prosperous. During the Civil War, the City was immediately occupied by the Union military forces on May 24, 1861, and became a logistical supply center for the federal army. Troops and supplies were transported to Alexandria via the port and the railroad and then dispersed where needed at the front. Wounded soldiers, brought back on the trains, crowded the available hospitals and temporary medical facilities in and around the town. It was during this era that several forts were constructed in Alexandria as a part of the defenses of the City of Washington. Today, Fort Ward Park contains one of these restored forts. From 1863 to 1865, the City was the capital of the Restored Government of Virginia, which represented the seven Virginia counties remaining under federal control during the Civil War.

In May 1852, the Charter of the Town of Alexandria was amended to provide that it should thereafter be known as the City of Alexandria. Alexandria is one of the few cities in America which has the unique distinction of being an independent city, without any county affiliation. This has been true since 1852, with the exception of the Civil War years (1861-1865) when Alexandria was under Federal Authority.

From the year of its origin in 1749 to the year 1779, a Board of Trustees consisting of four Aldermen and six Councilmen governed Alexandria. In 1852, the council was reorganized to include eight Aldermen and sixteen Councilmen.

It took nearly a century to pare the city government down to a manageable size, but since 1948, the City Council has consisted of a Mayor and six council members all elected at large.

In recent years, notably in the past two decades, Alexandria has experienced unprecedented commercial development. Today the Old Town historic district is known for its array of museums, architecture, special events, fine restaurants and hotels, and other attractions that draw more than 1.5 million international and domestic visitors to it each year.

Coming soon ... A Walking Tour of Old Town, Alexandria. Please check back frequently for this and other additions to our Website.

*This history is extracted from numerous documents in library archives and various Alexandria, VA Websites.