Alexandria, Virginia, USA
1854 - Alexandria

Alexandria, a city port of entry and capital of Alexandria county, Virginia, on the right bank of the Potomac, 7 miles below Washington. Lat. 38° 49' N. Lon. 77° 4' W. The river, here one mile wide, forms a commodious harbor, sufficiently deep for the largest ships. The city is pleasantly situated on undulating ground, with a fine view of the capitol at Washington and of the broad Potomac. The streets cross each other at right angles and are generally well paved and lighted with gas. The public buildings are a court house and about 12 churches. There are 3 banks, 2 news paper offices, and several excellent schools. The water of the river has recently been introduced into the city by means of ma chinery. A considerable amount of shipping is owned here, in which corn, tobacco, and stone coal are exported. A canal has been opened to Georgetown intersecting the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, and a railroad 90 miles long extends from this city to Gordonsville on the Central railroad. These improvements were finished in 1852, and have attracted considerable trade to this port. The manufacture of cotton cloths has recently been introduced here, and is carried on quite extensively, a number of mills being in successful operation. Population, 8762.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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