Old Town North in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Cross Canal

Historic Site

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 26, 2019

1. Historic Site Cross Canal Marker

Inscription. This area, called "Cross Canal," was a neighborhood of black residents who settled across from the canal shortly after the Civil War. The canal, located just north of this marker, extended from the Potomac River to Washington Street, thence north to Rosslyn.

A rural neighborhood, Cross Canal was "all country roads with nothing but trees and dirt roads." Families lived in small frame houses with gardens and raised farm animals in their back yards. Many residents worked at nearby industrial plants.

Erected by The City of Alexandria and The Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, The City of Alexandria series list.

Location. 38° 48.817′ N, 77° 2.424′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town North. It is at the intersection of Montgomery Street and North Fairfax Street, on the right when traveling west on Montgomery Street. The marker stands in the Old Town North neighborhood of Alexandria. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Old Dominion Glass Company (within shouting distance of this marker); The Alexandria Canal Company, 1830 - 1886 (within shouting distance of this marker); Alexandria Canal (1843 - 1886) (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cross Canal Neighborhood, 1860s - 1960s (about 400 feet away); Tide Lock of the Alexandria Canal (about 600 feet away); Remnants of Lock #4 of the Alexandria Canal (about 700 feet away); The Tale of Spa Spring (about 800 feet away); Alexandria Canal Turning Basin (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 26, 2019

2. Historic Site Cross Canal Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 763 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on February 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.