Alexandria Historic District facts for kids

Alexandria Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Old Dominion Bank Building in Old Town, now "The Athenaeum", an art gallery
Location in Northern Virginia Show map of Northern Virginia Location in Virginia Show map of Virginia Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Alexandria, Virginia
Built	1748
Architect	Multiple
Architectural style	Colonial, Late Victorian, Federal
NRHP reference No.	66000928
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	November 13, 1966
Designated NHLD	November 13, 1966

The Alexandria Historic District is a very special area in Alexandria, Virginia. It is recognized as a National Historic Landmark District. This district includes all of the city's historic Old Town and some nearby places.

This area has some of the best-preserved buildings from the late 1700s and early 1800s. It shows what an American city looked like back then. Because of its importance, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

History of Alexandria's Old Town

The city of Alexandria was officially started in 1748. Its downtown area was planned with streets laid out like a grid. This was done on the west bank of the Potomac River.

One of the people who helped survey, or map, this area was George Washington. He later became the first President of the United States. Alexandria quickly grew into a major seaport. It served many parts of northern Virginia.

Its streets were soon filled with beautiful Federal style townhouses. These were popular homes in the early days of the United States. The city remained an important port, mainly trading grain and tobacco. This continued until the American Civil War (1861-1865).

You can still see signs of its past as a port today. Several old waterfront warehouses from that time are still standing. They remind us of Alexandria's busy history.

Important Landmarks in the District

Several other important places are found within the Alexandria Historic District. These include:

• Christ Church
• Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Other properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places are also in the district. These include:

• Bank of Alexandria
• Alexandria City Hall

District Boundaries and Key Areas

The Alexandria Historic District has clear boundaries. To the east, it is bordered by the Potomac River. Queen Street is its northern edge. To the south, it reaches Jones Point and the Capital Beltway. Alfred Street forms its western boundary.

There are a few small areas that extend beyond these main lines. One notable extension is along Washington Street, going north to 2nd Street. The main shopping and business area of the district is around S. Washington Street and King Street.

Some important buildings in this central area include:

• The Art Deco Virginia Public Service building at 117 S. Washington Street.
• The Post Office and Courthouse at 200 S. Washington Street.
• The Burke and Herbert Bank at 625 King Street.

Gallery

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  Burke & Herbert Bank at 621 King Street (built in 1906)

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  The building at 117 S. Washington St. (around the 1930s)

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  The Alexandria Academy

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  A special sign used to mark a historic building in Alexandria

Images for kids

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  515 North Washington Street (built in 1848)