Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-11-04
A STROLL ALONG THE STRAND
{ Alex. ]. Wedderburn, in AleXan-
dria Sunday Times.}

It is often said that Alexandra Is
a dead city, but if there is liveller
or thriftier town of its size in the
State of Virginia we would like 20
have it pointed out.
Since 1899 Alexandria has steadily
forged to the front. From before the
time of its incorporation in 1919, 1t
was an active business point, ana
after its Incorporation, when 1t took
it's present title, it became the COM
mercial center of this section OF the
world.
A few years ago, while coming from
Washington on the trolley, lady
turned and asked: Us this suburb
Of Washington 2" We arose from our
seat in indignation, lifted our hat,
and, as politely as we possibly COULD
replied to the lady: MADAM, su-
ourb of Washington? land we empha-
sized the suburb. Why, when Wash
!ngton was a bowling wilderness AL
exandria was a thriving and thrifty
community. and l wish it to be dis
:inctly understood that Washington
S a suburb of Alexandria.
The lady turned to her husband and
exclaimed with gasp: 'Oh, john
the gentleman says that Washington
is a suburb of this place"
That was when King street was paw
I'd with cobble stones, not now, Wnen
we have vitrified bricks, and evidence
Of prosperity on every side, Win
beautiful suburban towns, and are
.lassed by the Census Bureau as the
second manufacturing town IN Flr-
ginia.
The Strand is not what it once was;
foreign shipping does not come to our
wharves and foreign flags are rarely
seen around them. While this Is a
fact. and the old wagons that once
rolled down King street in almost
endless chain are no longer TO De
seen. and the rumbling Of the wheels
arc no longer heard, and while some
If our citizens look back with regret
IN those "good old days and tax
If those "old tines reflective and
active business men OF the present
must unquestionably recognize the
.act that Alexandria today is doing a
;arper business than it did in the past.
A few years sgo the late Charles
2, Hooff in the old building OF the
First National Bank, said to the writ
~. "Aleck. they talk about the pros
oeritv of those old times; about the
yaron loads of wheat that came into
own. and say what a pity those Ole
times have gone, never to return. l
want to cal! your attention to the
ACT that Union street IS filled WIN
.ars from one end to the other loading
md unloading merchandise OF ali
:inds. and that each and every one OF
hose cars carry more tons than ali
he wagons that reached from one end
70 the other of King street IN those
old days"
The fact that we have lost some
norton Of our foreign and domestic
trade is unquestionably regrettaD!e'
Int while we have lost one dollar
along one line we have gained ten
dollars along another line.
AS the passing steamers go up ana
down the Potomac they see the ole
wharves and the old buildings and the
town that is criticised and thought tc
he going to decay; but had one OF
those critics joined us in walk along
The Strand a few days ago they Woulc
have opened their eyes in amazemen'
If what is being done behind those
d;lanidated walls. It would take mucr
more space than we have at our COM
,nand to describe each and every one
,f the industries that present
probably a unpleasant face to 1he
outer world, but the man VINO enters
these various places will see the act
i've. earnest hives that are produe'
NC wealth and giving employment tc
labor. Beginning at AgneWs snip
ward and coming up the river, VIZ
find the Alexandria County Lighting
Company, Emerson Engine Company
BRYANT Fertilizer Company, AleNan'
dria Boat Club, Washington ana NOT
folk Steamboat Company, AitcheSol
e. Co.. planning mill and lumber yard
Virginia Kid Works /. +. Bur.
roughs Sons Co., mill, Roberts lee'
and grain store, Kirk & Son, whole
sale grocery store, H. K. Field Lum
Der Company, Mutual Ice Co., MAR!
land. Delaware and Virginia steam
boat Company, Alexandra fertlllIe'
| aud Chan,iral COMPANY, Ui0 DoiiilIi