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With a population of around 160,000 as of 2019, Alexandria is a historic city located along the Potomac River just south of Washington D.C. in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Originally founded in 1749, Alexandria has a rich history and charming old town area that draws in visitors. It also serves as a suburb for commuters working in Washington D.C. Here is an overview of Alexandria, including information on its history, attractions, economy, transportation, landmarks, and local resources.

History of Alexandria

Alexandria was originally part of the District of Columbia, which was created out of land ceded by Virginia and Maryland. In 1746, English merchants founded the town of Alexandria which was named after John Alexander, the owner of the land. Throughout its early history, Alexandria was a major trading center and port city. Goods flowed through Alexandria from the Shenandoah Valley across the Potomac River. Alexandria was also a center of the slave trade in the 18th century.

In 1846, Alexandria was retroceded back to Virginia after decades of petitions from Alexandria leaders who no longer wanted to be part of the District of Columbia. During the Civil War, Alexandria was occupied by Union troops and suffered damage throughout the war. In the 20th century, Alexandria grew and modernized, especially with the expansion of the federal government during the New Deal and World War II which brought new federal agency offices and workers.

To learn more about the history of Alexandria, visit the Alexandria Wikipedia page.

Attractions and Landmarks in Alexandria

Alexandria has many great attractions and landmarks for visitors to enjoy. The centerpiece is the charming Old Town Alexandria historic district. Old Town stretches for several blocks and features cobblestone streets, historic buildings, boutique shops, restaurants, museums, and more. Some highlights include:

• Gadsby's Tavern Museum - historic tavern and museum at 134 N Royal Street dating to 1785.
• Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum - historic apothecary shop museum at 107 S Fairfax Street.
• Torpedo Factory Art Center - art center located in an old munitions factory, home to 82 artist studios and multiple galleries.
• Alexandria Black History Museum - museum focused on local African American history.
• Jones Point Lighthouse - historic lighthouse at Jones Point Park.

Outside of Old Town, attractions include:

• George Washington Masonic National Memorial - huge memorial and museum dedicated to George Washington and freemasonry. Address: 101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA 22301. Phone: (703) 683-2007
• Alexandria National Cemetery - historic cemetery for veterans of the Civil War and later wars.
• Carlyle House - elegant 18th century mansion that was home to prominent Alexandrian John Carlyle. Address: 121 N Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: (703) 549-2997

For more on Alexandria attractions, visit the Alexandria tourism website.

Historic Christ Church

One specific historic landmark in Alexandria worth highlighting is Christ Church. Christ Church is an Episcopal church established in 1773 and located at 118 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314. The church has played prominent roles in the history of Alexandria and the country:

• George Washington and Robert E. Lee were both parishioners here
• The church first opened in 1773
• The current building was constructed in 1817 in the Georgian architectural style

Christ Church is also home to a museum with historic artifacts and a cemetery with historic grave sites. Here are the gps coordinates for Christ Church: 38.8048° N, 77.0463° W

Economy and Major Employers

Alexandria has a strong economy anchored by several major industries and employers. Many Alexandrians also work for the government or for contractors in nearby Washington D.C.

Here are some of the major employers headquartered in Alexandria:

• Institute for Defense Analyses - Address: 4850 Mark Center Dr, Alexandria, VA 22311. Phone: (703) 845-2000.
• Oblon - large intellectual property law firm. Address: 1800 Diagonal Rd #600, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: (703) 684-0561
• Systems Planning and Analysis - defense consulting firm. Address: 1120 20th St NW #200, Washington, DC 20036. Phone: (703) 751-5011.
• Booz Allen Hamilton - major consulting firm with an office in Alexandria. Address: 13560 Morris Rd #1600, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Phone: (703) 902-5000.

For more on Alexandria's economy and business community, visit the Alexandria economic development website or City of Alexandria Facebook page.

Transportation in Alexandria

Alexandria has transportation connections across the region via rail, bus, roads, and air links.

• Metrorail: The Metro Blue and Yellow lines connect Alexandria to downtown Washington D.C. and other parts of the region.
• Train: An Amtrak station provides rail links to points north and south.
• Bus: Metrobus and DASH provide extensive bus service in the city.
• Major Roads: Alexandria is located near Interstates 95, 395, and 495. State routes 7, 236, 401, and 611 also pass through the city.
• Air: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located nearby just across the Potomac in Arlington, VA providing flights throughout the country.

For help navigating Alexandria by bus and rail, visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) website.

Local Government and Public Services

Alexandria is an independent city that operates separately from surrounding counties. The Alexandria City government provides a full range of services to residents and businesses.

• The Alexandria City Hall address is 301 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: (703) 746-4300.
• The city website with info on all city services is Alexandriava.gov.
• Trash pickup, water, sewer, police, fire, parks, libraries, courts, and other services are handled directly by Alexandria City government departments.

In addition, Alexandria is part of many regional authorities that provide utility and transportation services in cooperation with neighboring jurisdictions:

• Electricity: Provided by Dominion Energy Virginia
• Natural gas: Provided by Washington Gas
• Water: Provided by Alexandria Renew Enterprises (a city entity)
• Sewer: Provided by Alexandria Renew Enterprises
• Public transportation: Part of the regional Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system

Law Enforcement

The Alexandria Police Department provides law enforcement services throughout the city. The police headquarters address is 3600 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304. In emergencies dial 911, otherwise the non-emergency number is (703) 746-4444.

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is responsible for operating the city jail system. Their address is 2003 Mill Rd, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: (703) 746-4700.

Fire and Rescue

The Alexandria Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city. There are 8 fire stations located throughout Alexandria. The main fire department administration office is located at 900 2nd St, Alexandria, VA 22314. In emergencies dial 911, otherwise the non-emergency number is (703) 746-4646.

Education in Alexandria

Alexandria is served by Alexandria City Public Schools, a well-regarded school system containing:

• 13 elementary schools
• 5 middle schools
• 3 high schools

In addition, there are several private and parochial schools in Alexandria. The school district website with complete information is ACPS.k12.va.us.

At the university level, Alexandria is home to a campus of Northern Virginia Community College. There are also several universities in nearby Arlington and Washington D.C.

Hospitals and Healthcare

There are two major hospitals located in Alexandria:

• Inova Alexandria Hospital - Address: 4320 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304. Phone: (703) 504-3000.
• Virginia Hospital Center - Address: 1701 N George Mason Dr, Arlington, VA 22205. Phone: (703) 558-5000.

Parks and Recreation

Alexandria has an extensive system of public parks and recreation facilities including:

• Ben Brenman Park
• Cameron Run Regional Park
• Chambliss Park
• Lee District Park
• Simpson Park
• Various public pools, gardens, marinas, and other facilities

The city Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities oversees the park system. Their main office is located at 1108 Jefferson St, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: (703) 746-5414.

In addition, Alexandria is located along the scenic Mount Vernon Trail which runs through the city along the Potomac River waterfront. The trail provides a great resource for walking, running, biking, and more.

Old Town Pool

The Old Town Pool is a popular public pool located in the heart of Old Town at 1609 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314. This indoor pool features lap lanes, a kids pool, waterslide, fitness equipment, and swimming lessons. The gps coordinates for the Old Town Pool are: 38.8037, -77.0514.

Performing Arts and Events

Alexandria has an active performing arts scene and many great events throughout the year. Some highlights include:

• The Birchmere - legendary concert hall presenting national music and comedy acts. Address: 3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305.
• Little Theatre of Alexandria - community theater established in 1934. Address: 600 Wolfe St, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone: (703) 683-0496
• Del Ray Music Festival - free music festival held in the Del Ray neighborhood every fall.
• Alexandria Film Festival - annual film festival every November.
• Scottish Christmas Walk - community parade and festival in December.

To learn more about events, performing arts, and local entertainment, visit the Washington Nationals website (the hometown professional baseball team) or Alexandria events website.

Additional Local Resources

Here are some additional useful resources if you live in or plan to visit Alexandria:

• Alexandria Library - public library system with several branches throughout the city.
• Alexandria Black History Museum - museum focused on local African American history.
• Alexandria Visitor Center - visitor center in the heart of Old Town providing tourist information and maps.
• Alexandria Times - local newspaper covering news in Alexandria.
• Greater Alexandria Patch - local news and community information.

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