Taylor Run in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
All Aboard at Alexandria Union Station
The Alexandria Union Station is an example of a national trend to build architecturally significant railroad facilities intended as community gateways. It is Colonial-Revival style with Federal details, and has a Flemish-bond brick pattern not found anywhere else in the city. The station looks much like it did when it was first built. Interior space is the same, however, room uses have changed. For example, the original floorplan had racially segregated women’s waiting rooms and toilet facilities. Radiators are original, and probably the oak settees. The black and white floor tile and square bay window date from 1929 modifications. The freight depot was town down in the early 1980s to accommodate construction of the Metro subway station.
In 1997, the City of Alexandria led a restoration funded through the Intermodal Surface transportation and Efficiency Act of 1991. The restoration addressed accessibility requirements and enclosed the breezeway, but for the most part returned the station to its 1905 appearance.
(captions)
(top left) Postcard of Union Station, look east, 1920s
(top right)Alexandria Gazette, Monday October 29, 1917
Alexandria Gazette, Thursday, November 1, 1917
Alexandria Gazette, Monday May 26, 1919
(bottom) Union Station, looking north, circa 1905
Union Station, looking north, circa 1905
Alexandria World War II draftees ready to leave from Union Station November 22, 1943. During the first half of the 20th century many local service men and women left for war from the Alexandria Union Station.
Images courtesy of Alexandria Library, Special Collections
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1905.
Location. 38° 48.383′ N, 77° 3.745′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Taylor Run. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Callahan Drive and King Steet (Virginia Route 7), on the right when traveling north. Located at the Amtrak Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 Callahan Drive, Alexandria VA 22301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Alexandria in the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Alexandria War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Fighting Back (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shuter's Hill and the West End (about 400 feet away); Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Southwest 2 (about 400 feet away); The George Washington Masonic National Memorial (about 500 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 July 11, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 11, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.