Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Edgar Warfield
City of Alexandria Est. 1749
One of King Street's greatest commercial buildings was built by one of Alexandria's most beloved citizens. Edgar Warfield, Jr. was born in 1842, and at the age of 18 he co-founded the "Old Dominion Rifles," a Confederate militia that served in the Civil War. After the war ended, he returned home to find his hometown in economic ruin. Undeterred, he supported former Confederate General Robert E. Lee's commitment to help reunify the nation, and became a druggist, with a pharmacy on the opposite corner of North Pitt Street.
In 1906, Warfield replaced his small drugstore with a larger commercial/residential building, pictured in this 1949 photo. the three-story Warfield Building contained space for the pharmacy on the first floor, with luxurious flats above. Warfield prospered at his new site until his death in 1934, as the last Confederate veteran from Alexandria.
By 1950, King Street was the main retail center in Northern Virginia, with shops and department stores housed in buildings dating from as far back as the late 18th century. However, within a decade, the area began to deteriorate as new highways and suburban shopping centers developed nearby. By 1965, the once bustling thoroughfare was largely vacant, and an "urban renewal" project replaced six blocks of the historic downtown core, including Warfield's
this page online
Erected by City of Alexandria.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, The City of Alexandria series list.
Location. 38° 48.292′ N, 77° 2.688′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. Marker is at the intersection of King Street and North Pitt Street, on the left when traveling east on King Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 423 King Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marshall House (a few steps from this marker); The Law Office of Cohen, Cohen, and Hirschkop (a few steps from this marker); Photos of Historic Alexandria (within shouting distance of this marker); Franklin P. Backus Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington in Alexandria (within shouting distance of this marker); Gadsby's Tavern Museum (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washington's Tenement House (about 300 feet away); Retail in Alexandria (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 463 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 31, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
