Columns and Doorway

A charming entry to an Old Town residence.

Forgotten Apartments

At one time there was an apartment building located right in front of the old Carlyle House. This is the only place Dave has ever lived that no longer exists.

Another Ice House

Here is a larger ice house than the derelict one I showed you previously on Commerce Street. To the right of the door on the loading dock is a shelf. You can’t see it in the shadow, but above the shelf was a window (now blocked off) through which the blocks of ice were pushed, resting on the shelf until they could be loaded into a wagon and carted off for sale. The location of this ice house was something I found out from going on one of Alexandria’s ghost tours.

Alfred Street Baptist Church

In 1803, a group of slaves and free African Americans withdrew from the integrated Alexandria’s First Baptist Church and formed their own congregation, which eventually became the Alfred Street Baptist Church. It was significant for many reasons, among which were that it allowed African Americans a way to meet and socialize, in contravention to the laws of the time which forbade them to meet in groups. It was also one of the few places where black children in Alexandria could go to school.

Orange and Alexandria Railroad

The Orange and Alexandria Railroad was an important freight railroad that began operations in 1851. It was of particular significance during the Civil War. This is what’s left of part of its route: a train tunnel under Wilkes Street used now only by pedestrians and cyclists.

A plaque near the tunnel entrance shows the roundhouse and an engine in 1863.