Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-02-08
IALEXANDRIA'S STREETS
How They Came to be Given the
Names by Which They are now
Known.

Known.
In response to queries made oy
new residents who have recently
taken up their abode here the Ga
zetta takes pleasure in giving space
TO an article containing the names
Of the streets in Alexandria and the
reasons why they we're so namec
The original town-bult upon :
narrow hill, with the Potomac river
on one side and marsh on the other
was laid out in 1749 with but Tvs
streets-Fairfax and Royal--rus.-
Ming north and south. The ncne':-
cIature Of the old town was thus -
tended TO do honor to the royal
family and the families Of Thomas,
Lord Fairfax, Baron Of Cameron,
within whose territory the town was'
laid out. These Two strcets---Royal
and Fairfax--were crossed by CEN
trail street called Cameron street,
after the title Of Lord Fairfax,
fianked ON the one side by the titles
of the male members Of the royal
family, namely, King, Prince, ara
Duke, and on the other by the titles
Of the royal females; Queen, Princess
and Duchess streets. The fact that
a stream, whb::h the Indians called
Oro-no-ko creek, ran along portion
Of the street which ought TO nave
been called Duchess, led, upon mat'
ing the plat of the town to naming
the street after the water when
flowed through its lower portion.
The town grew and was enlarged
in 1853 by addition Of one street 10
the west, which was named Pitt street.
IN honor of Lord Chatham, while an
other street added OIL the south, IL
the same time, was called after Gtn-
eral Wolfe, the popular hero OF tAs
day. before whose army Quebec haa
fallen. The next onlarga about
the time of the Revolution, gave rs
st. Asaph street, which our fathers
.s,aaaad. e5sar .Ieahn, Haitian, Bishop.
Of St. .Asaph in Wales, trencnant
writer in favor Of the liberties o.
Virginia; and also one street to tne
south, which was christened after the
determined Wing editor of the North
Hr;ton newspaper. George Wilkes.
All the utilcr streets were named
during or a:'.ar the Revolution ana
we will recar;Sulate and take them
IN order, starting first from ths
Strand as the riverside was calle5.
Union was named bocause it was lald
out in 1888, when the feeling IN iavof
OF uniting the country was strong
among our fathers. A curve OF tns
river. until that time, had occup'ed
viii, its waters the sight OF the
.+rest-Water in l793-named pe'
.anse when the town was laid ont,
the river came up to the foot Of the
hin which slopes from Fairfax street
10 the waters edge. This street las
been renamed Lee in honor OF Gcn.
Robert E. Lee.
Fairfax-l7l9-After the family Oh
Lord Fairfax.
Royal-17l9-sAfter the royal fam
ily.
pint-1763-Apter Sir VIM. Pitt.
St. Asaph,- l774-After Jonn
HaEfax, Bishop OF St. Asaph
Washington - 1888 After me
Father of His Country.
Columbus-After the discoverer ol
the continent.
Alfred-After the good King .hi-
fred the father of the common law
Patrick and Henry, after the great
orator Of Virginia.
Fayette-In honor of the French
uatriot Of that name.
Payne and Peyton--After famliies
distinguished in the early history u
the town.
Commerce As commerciai
tho,oughfarc.
West-After the family OF Hugh
West, upon whose land portion Q Of
the town was built
This concludes the streets running
north and south. The streets wh1"t
run east and west beginning at King
and going south are as follows:
Prince and Duke-named IN ia:
Tor the reasons already given.
acknowledgements on the soutt
side OF Wolfe, between Lee and Unaol
and runs TO Franklin.
Wo!fe-l76S--After Gen. Wolfa