Potomac, Historic district in Alexandria, Virginia, US
Potomac is a historic district in Alexandria, Virginia, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with its own street grid separate from the neighboring Old Town. The area is made up almost entirely of residential buildings that were constructed over several decades in the early 20th century.
The area grew out of several smaller settlements and was formally incorporated as an independent town in 1908. That moment marked the point when scattered housing clusters became a recognized community with its own civic identity.
The streets follow the routes of old streetcar lines, and the layout still shapes how the neighborhood feels today. Walking through, you notice how the houses and yards were built for everyday middle-class life rather than for display.
The district covers a large area and is best explored on foot or by car, since there is no single center to start from. It helps to pick a street and follow it, letting the neighborhood reveal itself gradually rather than looking for a specific landmark.
Even though the district is now part of Alexandria, it kept its own street grid after being incorporated in 1908 and it was never merged into the Old Town layout. You can actually notice where one grid ends and the other begins just by walking along the streets.
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