Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-05-30

emit site cf the city of Washington.
About that time tobacco grown in
the back country was transported to
the shores of this locality for ship
rnent, and any high bluff where the
water was deep was utilized for a
wharf, ard vessels were there load
ed for foreign countries.
A crude warehouse was erected
en- the northeastern point of the
triangular tract of land which pro-
truded into TIE Potomac somewhere
in close proximity to wnat is now
the City Gas Works. Similar struc-
lures followed in time, and when
Alexandria had assumed the proper
tons CT a village she was called
Bellchaven, in honor of prominent
tobacco grower of that day.
In 1749 the House of Burgesses
authorized the formation of town
here. At that period and for many
years after all the tobacco and most
of the other products of this section
(including the opposite Maryland
Country for miles down the river
were brought here for shipment.
The city did grow slowly, it is
true, but its advance was healthy:
there had been nothing spasmotic
aobut it.
The original charter granted juris-
d;ction over six half-acre lots.
In 1863 George Washington was
chosen as one of the trustees. Six
teen years elapsed under this regime,
wher the General Assembly of Vir-
g;nia incorporated Alexandria as
town with authority to elect ma
yor, aldermen, and councilmen, and
20 held hustings court.
George Washington was = familiar
figure in our streets at that time.
lie identified himself with al our in
terests-helped man fire engines, en-
gagged in cur political disputes. and,
as has often been told, had istcuff
encounter in our market house and
came out second best.
Alexandria, as might be expected.
suffered her share from the letters
on commerce which were imposed by
the mother country, and though she
long and patiently bore up under the
unjust and cruel exaction of Great
Britain, when the conflict for free
Iom was at last prccipitated, her
sons helped to swell the ranks of the
revolutionary patriots and their
blood. too, flowed in the cause Of
freedom. The revolutionary war, the
trouble with France, and The second
war for independence had its effect
upon Alexandr;a's commerce, but the
Last conflict having ended she recup-
Grated rapidly, and in short time
SHIPS, barks, briggs, and schooncrs
hail:rg from this port once more
dotted the ocean. From that period
until the breaking out CT the civil
war Alexandria grew and prcsp2red.
Locomotive works were established
here, cotton factory put in opera
ticn. railroads built, a canal con-
structcd, large Touring mills erected
ard numerous ether enterprises
started and successfully conducted.
The city's port was kept lively, and
Alexandria was a we'll knnwn mart
vessel which were built and owned
here sailing to every prominent port
in the world.
Al the close of the four years
conflict the city began to expand and
has progressed healthily ever since.
Several years ago the neH high
school building and grounds formed
the western limits of the city Of
Alexandria. At present that struc-
ture stands in the centre Of the city,
its boundaries having been extended
far INTO Alexandria and Fairfax
counties. The city has advanced with
a hop, skip and a jump during the
past year and a half. The popu!a-
ticn has greatly increased. and by
this time next year thousands Of
new Gamers will have bcccme perm
ancnt residents Of Alexandria.