Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Waterfront Walk
The Alexandria waterfront reflects the perpetual relationship between people and the Potomac River. The Old Town shore documents a history rich in individual and collective maritime, commercial, and cultural concerns. Waterfront Walk designates historically significant sites along Alexandria’s waterfront. By walking the marked route, these sites provide insights into the waterfront’s changing character and its role in the City’s history.
(Panel 2)
Standing buildings and wharves, archaeological sites, photographs, documents, and memories of elder citizens have brought the different activities and waterscapes into focus. The water in the historic period served as a magnet for the transfer and storage of goods, manufacture, retail business, recreation and residence. The wealthy merchant, the British or Russian sailor, the free Black barber’s family, the Jewish immigrant shopkeeper, the carpenter, and the dressmaker’s children all engaged in their various activities within three blocks of the water’s edge. Before the historic period, in prehistoric times, Native Americans built their villages, traveled the river, and fished along the bluffs and marshes that once characterized the waterfront.
Throughout the centuries the river has remained an integral part of Alexandria’s existence. Yet the Potomac’s possibilities for subsistence, wealth, enjoyment, and community life have been interpreted in distinctive ways by maritime heritage. Waterfront Walk recreates these earlier times for our appreciation today.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 38° 48.245′ N, 77° 2.371′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. Marker can be reached from the intersection of The Strand and King Street, on the right when traveling north. Located in King Street Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Foot of King Street (a few steps from this marker); River Ferries (within shouting distance of this marker); The Domestic Slave Trade (within shouting distance of this marker); Raise the White Flag (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Alexandria Archaeology Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Plundered! (within shouting distance of this marker); John Fitzgerald (within shouting distance of this marker). 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 6, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 730 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on March 6, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.