Alexandria, Independent city in northern Virginia, United States
Alexandria is an independent city in northern Virginia that stretches along the western bank of the Potomac River, combining residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and waterfront districts within a grid of streets. The historic core sits near the river, surrounded by newer districts that spread inland and blend modern development with older structures.
The settlement began in 1749 on land originally granted decades earlier to a tobacco planter by the colonial governor of Virginia. During the Civil War, it fell under Union control and served as a supply hub and hospital center for the federal army throughout the conflict.
Residents and visitors gather in the Old Town waterfront district where farmers markets, street performers, and outdoor cafes fill cobblestone sidewalks throughout the year. Neighborhood festivals and art walks bring people together in historic squares, maintaining the social rhythms that have shaped community life for generations.
A free trolley runs between the metro station and the waterfront, making it easier for visitors to move around the historic center without driving. Most points of interest lie within a few blocks of the river, so walking is often the simplest way to explore the district.
The settlement predates the federal capital by about half a century, making it one of the older preserved districts on the eastern seaboard. Many of its 18th-century buildings remain occupied and in everyday use, offering a living example of early American urban planning and architecture.
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