 |
|
|
| |
| 1801 |
| |
Alexandria
becomes part of the newly organized District of Columbia. |
| 1810 |
| |
Family
of Robert E. Lee settles in Alexandria.
|
| 1814
|
| |
During
the War of 1812, City surrenders to British naval force and
is occupied. To spare the town, Alexandrians pay ransom of
tobacco, flour, cotton, and sugar.
|
| 1824 |
| |
Lafayette
visits Alexandria on a two-year tour of the United States.
|
| 1827 |
| |
A morning
fire breaks out on January 18, destroying 40 houses, stores
and warehouses.
|
| 1828 |
| |
Slave
dealers Franklin and Armfield establish office and slave pen
at 1315 Duke Street.
|
| 1834 |
| |
The Lyceum
Company founded by Quaker schoolmaster Benjamin Hallowell
to promote public lectures and discussions. Joined with Library
Company to build The Lyceum in 1839.
|
| 1847 |
| |
Alexandria
retroceded to Virginia. Local citizens are disenchanted with
being part of the District of Columbia; Alexandria received
little financial aid and citizens were not allowed to vote. |
| 1848
|
| |
The
Orange and Alexandria Railroad is chartered. |
| 1852 |
| |
Alexandria
chartered as a city. |
| 1861 |
| |
Occupation of Alexandria
by Union troops begins May 24, 41 days after Ft. Sumter, SC,
falls to Confederate forces. The first fatality was Col. Elmer
Ellsworth, shot by James W. Jackson, proprietor of the Marshall
House Hotel, as Ellsworth tries to retrieve a Confederate flag
flying atop the building. Alexandria suffers the longest military
occupation of any town during the Civil War. Railroads used
as a Union supply depot. |
| |
|
| |
Alexandria
is a haven to slaves traveling north in search of freedom. Many
die in the City and are buried at Freedmen’s Contraband Cemetery
on South Washington St. |
| 1863 |
| |
Alexandria
was selected by Acting Governor Francis Harrison Pierpont as
the capital of the loyalist “Restored Government of Virginia,”
remaining so until the end of the war. Defenses of Washington
include Fort Ward. |
| 1871 |
| |
City Hall
and Market House burn; City Hall rebuilt (below) by 1873.
|
| 1872 |
| |
Alexandria
Infirmary organized by Julia Johns. Becomes Alexandria Hospital
in 1917. |
|
1881
|
| |
First
telephone usage in Alexandria. |
| 1889 |
| |
First
use of electricity in Alexandria. |
| 1892 |
| |
Electric
streetcars begin operation.
|
| |
|
