Orange and Alexandria Railroad Hooff's Run Bridge, Railway bridge from 1856 in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Orange and Alexandria Railroad Hooff's Run Bridge is a stone arch bridge built in 1856 using gray sandstone, with a red sandstone section added to its south side during the 1890s renovation. The structure crosses a waterway and demonstrates construction techniques typical of that era's railroad engineering.
The bridge was constructed in 1856 as part of the first railroad line linking Alexandria's waterfront to Lynchburg, opening the region to rail transport. The red sandstone addition in the 1890s reflects how the infrastructure was adapted to meet increased demands of the growing transportation network.
The bridge stands as a representation of mid-nineteenth century engineering practices and marks Alexandria's transformation into a significant transportation hub.
The bridge is located at the intersection of Jamieson Avenue and Hooff's Run and can be viewed from public pathways surrounding the site. Visitors can approach it from different angles to see how the stone construction and its later modifications work together.
The bridge stands as Alexandria's oldest surviving bridge and the only remaining intact structure directly associated with the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. It serves as a rare surviving example of early railroad infrastructure that shaped the region's growth.
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