Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-05-19
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
Burning Of the Market House
and Public Offices.

4 great calamity has befallen Alexandria,
and her citizens mourn the destruction of her
most venerable monuments At half past twelve
o'clock last night fire was discovered in the
framed building on the corner of Royal street
and Market Alley, occupied by Geo. A. Hunt
ington as a grocery and liquor store. The alarm
was instantly sounded, and in short time the
entire fire department was on the spot and at
work, but despite their efforts the fire spread
rapidly, and in short time the frame build
ings in the rear, extending to Sharp Shin Al
ley, the brick building on the south, the entire
Market House. with it's steeple, and Washington
Lodge were enveloped in flames. and the site
upon which they stood soon presented but
mass of eharred and blackened walls and em-
bers In this disaster Alexandria has lost one
its chief grand monument around which has
chung the revered memories of the past. Upon
the ground on which the Market House was
erected were once encamped the legions Of
Braddock, and there Washington and his friend
Morris Of that day, perhaps strolled arm in arm
over the green The lot was donated by the
Ramsay family to the town as site tor the
public buildings, and the ''old Market House,
or that portion on Cameron street: was built OF
brick shortly after the establishment OF the
town in l749 Over its arches were the rooms
in which the courts were held in the days OF
the grandfathers of those now living. 1t had
lately been repaired and reftted, and in it we're
the offices of the City Sergeant Clerk Of the
Corporation Court, Superintendent of Gas and
the law Office of Messrs A. g. c. L. Stuart.
That portion on Royal street was fine three
story brick building, from which rose the
splendid steeple-a Pharos to the early naviga-
tors of the Potomac; and the deep tones of the
alarm bell it contained had often awakened the
sleeping citizens to s1bdue the clement to which
at last it too became victim. Iii this steeple
was the old town clock, which since 1917 had
kept time to the march of the hours. Its ham,
mcr struck the resounding metal for the last
time, when, with its dialiumined by the lurid
flames and It's pedestal being consumed Lo
meath it. it peeled forth the solemn hour OF
| one this morning. The fall of the steeple pre-
sented grand spectacle. Shrouded in sheet
| of fire, its spire toppled, leaned, Bonded down
ward, and hung suspended until it was con-
sumed, the base sinking through the roof and
the floors beneath to thepayement below, carry
ing with itmasses Of mortar, bricks and timber.
All mourn its untimely fa-stern manhood
shows dewy eyeand sympathetic woman weeps
over its destruction In the third story of this
building was the Alexandria Museum, in which
were deposited many relics of the early days Of
| the city, which were Of great interest and
value, associated as they were with the Revolu-
tionary war and the distinguished individuals
who bore prominent part in it. In its second
story were the Mayors Office, the Auditors
office, the Office of the Collectors Of taxes and
the chambers Of the Board Of Aldermen and
Common Council The whole edifce was a
credit to the public spirit Of the city, and by
the older residents, and those endeared to the
memories of the town its destruction is looked
upon with pangs of regret as severe as those
experienced by true Frenchman at the late
demolition Of the column Of Austerlitz in the
| Place Eendome
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