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

204 South Pitt Street

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 23, 2026

1. 204 South Pitt Street Marker

Inscription.
Built in 1853 to replace an earlier home, this Federal Style house was occupied by the Union army during the Civil War. It served as headquarters of the 8th Illinois Cavalry – whose men sacked the offices of the Alexandria Gazette on Prince Street – and quarters to Major John Lourie Beveridge who fought in several battles including Gettysburg where he commanded the regiment. When the 8th IL Cavalry left Alexandria the house was assigned to Doctor (Brigadier General) William Hammond, who served as Surgeon General of the Army. After the war Beveridge left the army as a Brevet Brigadier General and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and later Governor of Illinois. Dr. Hammond went on to found the National Museum of Health and Medicine and become a pivotal figure in the development of the modern hospital.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 38° 48.203′ N, 77° 2.696′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. It is on South Pitt Street south of Prince Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 S Pitt St, 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. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Brigadier General Montgomery D. Corse, CSA (within shouting distance of this marker); Stabler-Leadbeater House (within shouting distance of this marker); 414-412 Prince Street (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington's Tenement House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bank of Potomac Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint Paul's Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ticer House (within shouting distance of this marker); 511 Prince Street (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

204 South Pitt Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 23, 2026

2. 204 South Pitt Street

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 22 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.