Walking Tour of Historic Alexandria Homes

I love walking tours. So I made a Walking Tour of Historic Alexandria Homes that anyone can do. If you are in Alexandria, all you need is your sneakers and best of all its Free. Try it! Then please let me know how you like it and if you have additional places to add to the list. Alexandria, Virginia, is a Southern town. During the Civil War, it was occupied by the North. When I began my Hunt for Historic Homes, I look into the city’s history. Because I am passionate about historic homes, this was a pleasure to hunt for these homes.

Alexandria is one of the best places to hunt for historic homes. Some of Alexandria’s homes date back to before Geroge Washington’s colonial time. But a significant number of the homes were built during the Civil War. Black slaves and African American refugees, freed because they made it to Alexandria during the Civil War built the homes. I honor the African American craftsmen who built the historic homes. I want to acknowledge their labor and artistry. This a beautiful town is due to their hard work.

African Americans built an active community in Alexandria. Six black communities grew around the railroad station in Alexandria. They had their own Cemetery, churches, and lived in their communities. So, in honor, the African American community that made the town I dedicate this Walking Tour of the historic homes of Alexandria to them.

By the way, my hotel the Marriott Residence is only a few blocks from the park to commemorate these African American communities.

Top 10 Homes

My Walking Tour features the historic Alexandria homes, the ones with stories behind them. So, here is what my hunting turned up and what I learned. As I mention, this area during the Civil War harbored black refugees from the South, blacks who fled slavery to be free. The refugees built the homes and labored in the businesses of Alexandria.

#1. Shiloh Baptist Chruch

My first mention is to the black community and their civil war church still in use today. Many black refugees who had run away from slavery, lived near this building. When they couldn’t find a home, they  took refuge here.
Address: 429 Duke St # 200, Alexandria, VA 22314

The history of the Shiloh Baptist Church

#2. John Douglas Brown Home

Next, the oldest house occupied by the same family John Douglas Brown Home, this is where George Washington used to hang out.
Address: 517 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA

History plaques

#4. Lots of Small Homes, Covered alleys, and the little blue house, The Spite House

One of the two smallest homes in Alexandria – maybe it was once an alley before it filled the gap.

The Spite House ( blue), constructed in 1830, is 7 feet wide, about 25 feet deep and a whopping 325 square feet in two stories. Located on Queen Street in the Old Town district in Alexandria, Va., just across the Potomac from Washington

Address:  523 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, Old Town Alexandria (directions)

An Alexandria alley with another home at the end of the walkway.

#5. Home Patton-Fowle House

Known as both the Patton-Fowle House and the Fowle-Pickens House, the large home at 711 Prince St. dates back to the early 1800s. Around 1807, James Patton built a flounder house on a lot on the north side of Prince Street just east of Columbus Street. The structure was set back from the street and expanded, under its next owner, William Fowle. Fowle, a Massachusetts native, acquired the house and half-acre lot in 1811 after Patton experienced financial problems. In Alexandria, Fowle was a partner in a shipping firm and later served in the leadership of the Alexandria Canal Company and the Bank of the Old Dominion. At least two of his children followed him into civic involvement.

Address 711 Prince Street

One of the few homes charted to have a driveway and land surrounding the home.

#6. Carlyle House

Carlyle House has a great water view of the Potomac sitting high on the hillside, a colonial home. The home is an eighteenth-century historic house museum in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. John Carlyle, the wealthy merchant and a founder of Alexandria, completed his elegant stone mansion in 1753.

Address: 121 N Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Close to Carlyle House is

#7 Wise’s Tavern – George Washington’s Tavern & Hotel

The tavern and once hotel are on walking tours of Alexandria, so I am glad I found it and added it to mine. Still in operations when I went there – didn’t stop in.

Address 201 N. Fairfax, Alexandria, VA

#8 Cavalier Antiques

One of the best signs I have ever seen. Just a very cool looking building. The sign stands out to me, to shop at the antique store you will need to make an appointment.

Address: 400 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314

#9 Homes on Prince Street are just cool looking historical homes

#10 Franklin and Armfield Slave Officer

Another site is a Statue – ‘Appomattox’ Fallen Confederate Alexandria Infantry

Some think the statue is ‘problematic’ others, southerners, want to commemorate the fallen soldiers, even if they have fallen on the wrong side of history. You be the judge.