Taylor Run in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

All Aboard at Alexandria Union Station

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 4, 2020

1. All Aboard at Alexandria Union Station Marker

Inscription.

All Aboard at Alexandria Union Station. . , Whether going to their workplace, a vacation getaway or war, generations of passengers have embarked on journeys and were welcomed home at the Alexandria Union Station. It exemplifies the time when railroads were the dominant means of transportation. Built during the “Golden Age” of passenger travel, the station opened on September 15, 1905, and included a freight depot on the east side of the tracks adjacent to the passenger terminal., 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

Whether going to their workplace, a vacation getaway or war, generations of passengers have embarked on journeys and were welcomed home at the Alexandria Union Station. It exemplifies the time when railroads were the dominant means of transportation. Built during the “Golden Age” of passenger travel, the station opened on September 15, 1905, and included a freight depot on the east side of the tracks adjacent to the passenger terminal.

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

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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. It 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.

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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Alexandria in the Civil War (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 4, 2020

2. All Aboard at Alexandria Union Station Marker

marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam War 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Other markers no longer nearby. Alexandria (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Visiting Old Town (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 4, 2020

3. All Aboard at Alexandria Union Station Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 4, 2020

4. All Aboard at Alexandria Union Station Marker

Nearby plaque inside of the glass encasement image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 6, 2024

5. Nearby plaque inside of the glass encasement

Lois Walker
1939 - 2013 Lois Walker was a tireless advocate for multi-modal transportation solutions within the City of Alexandria and throughout the National Capital area. Through her efforts, Alexandria's Union Station was donated to the City of Alexandria, a transportation commission was created, and high-capacity transportation corridors were designated. Los served as the President of Virginians for High-Speed Rail, as a board member with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Virginia Railway Express. Lois was an Alexandria resident for 45 years and a two-term member of City Council. Forever an Alexandria Legend.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 11, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 5. submitted on July 6, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.