The Arlington National Cemetery is recognized around the country and around the world, but nearby is a similar treasure from our nation's heritage: the Alexandria National Cemetery.
The Alexandria National Cemetery is located in the City of Alexandria VA
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 government 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.
Many of the graves at Alexandria National Cemetery date to the Civil War era
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.
City of Alexandria Courthouse
In 1669 John Alexander bought the land that became Old Town Alexandria 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 travelers 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.
Trolley at King Street
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!
United States Patent and Trademark Office as seen from Alexandria's Union Station
Stabler Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum was opened by a Quaker pharmacist Edward Stabler in 1792 and is one of the oldest pharmacies in the country. Located on 105-107 South Fairfax Street Alexandria, Virginia in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.
In addition to being a pharmacist, Stabler was dedicated to the abolition of slavery and the expansion of educational opportunities. Among other accomplishments, Stabler purchased many slaves for the express purpose of granting their freedom. Edward Stabler died in 1831, but his son continued to run the business for many years after.
This particular building served and survived through many important events in United States history such as the War of 1812. The pharmacy was of great importance during the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1821. During the Civil War the apothecary furnished medicines for the Union. The pharmacy also served during the Spanish-American War of 1898, and World War I.
Finally, in 1933 the shop closed due to the Great Depression. At that time the contents of the shop were sold, and the money that was raised was used to preserve the property as a museum. In 1939 the shop re-opened as a museum and 43 years later Stabler Leadbeater Apothecary Museum was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
With over 8,000 objects-- gold-leaf labels, hand-blown medicine bottles, pill rollers, show-globes, mortars & pestles-- the museum provides visitors with a wide, fantastic collection. The first floor is in the Gothic Revival style from 1835. On the second floor names of herbs and medicine are in their original hand writing placed on the walls and shelving of the interior. The Apothecary is home to many important artifacts, journals, receipts, ledgers, and invoices, and also include many historical figures names in documents, Martha Washington, James Monroe, and Robert E. Lee.The purpose of the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum is to promote the history and educate people about the values of Edward Stabler. More importantly, the museum promotes a better knowledge of historic public health issues of the past. It was a center of daily life in Old Town Alexandria, and as a museum the apothecary is still having an positive impact today.
This museum is just one of the many features that make Old Town an attractive destination for tourists and a highly prized location for residents. Parking can be a hassle in Old Town, but the problem can be avoided by taking the Metro and the King St. Free Trolley, which stops near the museum.
Will Nesbitt stands inside of this model home at the Henry in Old Town Alexandria.The Henry is a brand new condominium development in Old Town Alexandria. Most condos are at the Henry are ready for delivery and construction is nearly complete. The builder's representatives that we know and have worked with at the Henry are professional, knowledgeable, honest and hard-working, but it's their job to represent the builder's interest and it's their job to tell you why the Henry is a great place to live. As buyer's representatives, it's our job to learn as much about your needs as possible to make recommendations that make sense for your specific needs. That's one of the reason I like to take a look at the worst parts of a community first. Every home for sale on the market has advantages, but it's not the advantages of a property that make the sale. Buyers buy homes when they can make peace with the worst parts of living at a particular address.
More about why I'm writing this article?
It may interest the reader to know that I was contacted yesterday by a buyer who is currently living overseas in Switzerland. This potential client is familiar with Northern Virginia but doesn't know exactly where or what to buy just yet. Everyday we help people like this find homes in Alexandria and Northern Virginia. For their benefit I'm going to put together a few opinions and facts about the types of homes that most interest them.
This particular buyer is looking for brand-new construction in Old Town Alexandria. At a start hat criteria makes a very short list. This is because brand-new construction is not common in an area that is one of the oldest and most historic settlements in Northern Virginia. The list of developments that are under construction or just completed includes the Henry, Old Town Commons, the Oronoco, and 900 N. Washington. I am also recommending that this buyer take a look at the Eclipse (nearby in Crystal City), Potomac Yard (just north of Old Town) and the Carlyle District (which if not new, is nearly new).
As time permits I'm going to make public some of the thoughts I'm going to share with this client, in the hopes that it will not only benefit this client but others who might be looking for similar opportunities.
One can find glowing details about the amenities and features of the Henry, as well as information about models that are on sale now elsewhere on this site or by talking to builder's representatives. But what people really want to know is "what's the catch?". My clients often say, "Tell me the worst things about this purchase and I'll make the decision about whether this is a good buy for me or not."
So, I'm providing this is a critical look at the Henry and the value of what a buyer might find at the Henry.
Hollin Glen is located near Fort Hunt Road. The homes here are larger then the homes at Hollin Hall. This area is located near 495, Washington DC, Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor and Fort Belvoir. The homes in the Hollin Glen subdivision are split foyer.
Old Town Alexandria has some of the most sought-after real estate on the planet. People that live here love the convenience, the history charm, the shops and restaurants and the access to the Potomac waterfront. But what can you get for around a million dollars in Old Town? Our agent Julie Nesbitt recently represented buyers at Cameron Mews and her buyers were delighted with a location that was at the heart of everything just paces from the Potomac River. In addition to Cameron Mews, some of the more popular spots are: Ford's Landing, Liberty Row, Torpedo Factory, Prince Street Club and others in the South East Quadrant of Old Town.
For residents of Old Town Alexandria VA, parking is at a premium. The charm of Old Town's colonial streets is undeniable, but city planners in the colonial era never anticipated the SUV's and luxury vehicles that line the streets of Old Town Alexandria VA. Because parking is tight in Old Town one thing that choosy buyers seek out is garage parking. Below is a list of homes for sale in Old Town that have 1 or more parking space. In addition we've included the nearby Carlyle District, because the new homes of the Carlyle District often have garages and close proximity to Old Town.
Heritage Hill of Alexandria is a townhouse subdivision composed of homes built in the last thirty years. It is located in Fairfax County just outside the Capital Beltway near the intersection of Telegraph Road and Franconia Road. Homes here often border Heritage Hill Park, a forested buffer between Heritage Hill and Telegraph Road.
This location provides walking access to the Huntington Metro. Commuters here have easy access to Old Town Alexandria, a charming area filled with fine dining and shopping opportunities. The homeowners association provides a neighborhood watch, special trash collection, and lawn maintenance.
Home listings in Heritage Hill:
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