Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-08-05
LIVES IN HISTORY
City of Alexandria, Virg
Is Immortal.
Virginia.,
With Its Memories Of tn. Greatest
American. It Yields Place Only
to the National Capital.

economic clocks cease their ticking,
industrial enterprises stop their whirr,
ANA America celebrates each twenty
second day of February in honor Of
George Washington.
Across the Potomac from the city
which perhaps Is the most elaborai.
and enduring monument that perpetu-
ates the name Of any human being II
smaller, older. but up-to-date city
which revereEtly pays her tribute =,
me great man who surveyed its town
lots. He also commanded its troops.
! sat In It's historic Christ church while
President Of the United States, and
tripped the stately mnuet in its par
lors." says a bulletin from the Wash
| ington. d. c.. headquarters of the Ma
tional Geographic society.
Alexandria, Virginia, which was so
promising at the close Of the Revolu-
tionary war that 1t was considered
| possible seat for the infant national
government, aud which indeed might
| have had the honor. so the story goes,
II the great man who lived within a
| stones throw of Its borders had
thought it fair to use his influence in
it's behalf. Is today an up-and doing
| city. A laval torpedo plant IS being
! constructed there at the present time.
| and during the World war It had q
fully equipped shipbuiIding plant.
1.-THE first ship built ut this plant
was the GunstOn Hail. named after
the home Of George Mason, father Of
the Virginia declaration Of rights, mt
that time probably the most complete
statement of the rights of man.
This shipbuilding plant which now
stands Idle awaiting the development
Of new plans concerning our merchant
| shipping covers 46 acres Of land along
a river which measures 40 feet in
, depth at the city pier. At no point
In Its course to the ocean is the chan
| mel less than 80 feet in depth.
1.-The coal fields of the Cumberland
are but 40 miles away, and the cheap
ness Of transportation to the city adds
| another commercial asset. The in
| habitantS In the decade between 1890
and 1910 forCsaw the power which
| was coming into being to the west OF
| them, and expended large amounts Of
money in building the Alexandria
canal and in contributions to the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal.
1.-The Lee highway from New York
| TO San Francisco, now being con-
Structed. passes through Alexandria
| and westward through the beautiful
| and historic Valley of Virginia Very
APPLY might Alexandria. from its geo
graphical position, he given the SOU
| hrlquet. The Gateway to the South
Tourists to the Capital city--and
everyone feels that sooner or LATER he
| must see the capitol, the White House
! and the MOnument-uSually find few
hours, If no more. to cross the PotO-
mac and sit in the silence of the
quaint little church in its pretty green
churchyard where Washington advo.
Gated before the towEspeOple In 1774
resistance to Great Britain, and where
Robert f. Lee agreed to take com
mand Of the Virginia troops at the
beginning Of the Civil war in 1851.
Washington's pew is marked today,
| but unfortunately the high backs OF
the seats, Which IN former days kept
the President from seeing exactly
what kinds Of lace the bewigged gen
tlemen in front of him had at their
throats. were cut down by subSe-
quent rector who wanted his church
to keep npace of the times. 1t is said
that Washington and the famous and
devoted Martha always rode from Mt.
Vernon in handsome cream cOlored
coach to attend the services
The seeker for excellent examples
Of Colonial architecture can heave n
sigh of satisfaction wheE he catches
his first glimpse of Carlyle house, MS
| this home in which the illustrlous gen
tlemen and charming women of old
colony days discussed state questions
and tripped measure or two is con-
| Sidercd one of the best specimens of
! Eighteenth century architecture I'm ex-
! istence. Maj. John Carlyle. who built
| it in 1852. provided n mears of escape
| for his family, in case of attack by
| the Indians, in n Subterranean pas
! sage that leads from the house
! through the fort on which the house
Is located To the Potomac. Here they
could get into boats and sail down the
| river to safety"