The
beautiful town of Alexandria, Virginia, is located on the banks of the
Potomac River adjacent our Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C.
Originally one of Colonial America's major ports, Alexandria was
established in 1749 to capitalize on the lucrative maritime trade of
shipping tobacco. Merchants like William Ramsay and John Carlyle, who
represented tobacco firms in England and Scotland, were among the first
land owners in the young town. Other merchants included the Fairfax,
Dalton, Washington, and Chapman families. In later years, Alexandria
was to become home to George Washington, Robert E. Lee, and other
statesmen. At the outset of the Civil War, Alexandria sided with the
Southern cause. The town was immediately occupied by Union troops which
remained for the duration of the war. Soldiers wounded on nearby
Virginia battlefields were treated in the many buildings and churches
serving as hospitals located in the region now known as "Old Town
Alexandria." Today, Old Town Alexandria is a lively place mixing its
rich historical past with its vital present. Nestled in rows along
cobblestone streets stand beautiful old residences, some dating back
over 200 years, restored and still in use today. Horsedrawn carriages
carry people through lantern-lit streets lined with quaint shops,
galleries and restaurants. Annual events such as the Waterfront
Festival, the Christmas Walk and the Scottish Games, to name a few,
draw people to Alexandria from all over the world. Old Town Alexandria
remains a living reminder of our great nation's heritage.
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