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Alexandria CityAlexandria is on the west bank of the Potomac River, six miles below Washington, D.C. and nine miles north of Mount Vernon. Much of present-day Alexandria was included in a 6,000-acre land grant from Sir William Berkeley, Governor of Virginia, which was awarded to Robert Howsing, an English ship captain, on October 21, 1669.Alexandria, which is almost 50 years older than the District of Columbia, is one of America's most historic communities. It has many authentic eighteenth-century buildings, and the charm of the "Old and Historic District" is carefully preserved by strict architectural and planning laws. Alexandria began its historic preservation and urban renewal projects in the 1960s, achieved through the cooperation of citizen activists and local government. The Civil War centennial restoration of the northwest bastion of Fort Ward was the beginning of Alexandria's official protection of historic sites and landmarks. The Torpedo Factory was built during World War I and was used again in World War II as a United States munitions factory. Before its renovation in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the factory with its 10 heavy- industrial buildings dominated Alexandria's waterfront. Today, it is an award-winning example of adaptive reuse and the centerpiece of a lively waterfront with a marina, shops, public parks and walkways, restaurants, residences, and offices. Today the Old Town historic district is known for its array of museums, architecture, special events, fine restaurants, hotels,and other attractions that draw more than 1.5 million international and domestic visitors to it each year. More than two million square feet of new office complexes have been constructed. With this development, the City has become a mecca for divisional, regional, national, and multinational headquarters for operations ranging from research and development to high technology, associations, and professional services. For more historical information, click here. Attractions
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