Author: ALXnow.com

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 16, 1824, the beloved Marquis de Lafayette arrived in Alexandria for an extended visit during his ‘Grand Tour of America,’ one of the social high points in history of the young nation he had so fervently fought for. The Alexandria Gazette of October 19, 1824, vividly described his entrance to the city: ‘Between twelve and one o’clock General LaFayette entered the line from the Potomac Bridge, under a salute of artillery from Capt. Williams’s company. Here he was met by General Walter Jones and suite…. LaFayette then entered a splendid barouche, drawn by four fine greys, [and escorted to Alexandria]…. The procession entered the town through Columbus Street, went through a part of King into Fayette…to Washington Street.” [Historic Alexandria]

Amtrak Service Adjustments to Happen on Five Days — “Work will start after service ends on Friday, Oct. 16 and be completed before morning service on Monday, Oct. 26. Work will be done at the ‘A-Interlocking’ track and control point within D.C.’s First Street Tunnel. The point controls routing of all Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express trains between D.C.’s Union Station and Virginia. During the work, two train lines will run in segments, with the southern segment starting or ending in Alexandria.” [ALXnow]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 15, 1862, with deaths from Civil War battles in Virginia increasing drastically, the City of Alexandria formally leased land at the west end of Wilkes Street to the Federal government for creation of the Alexandria National Cemetery, the nation’s first military cemetery. Within a year, the cemetery was filled almost to capacity nearing 4,000 graves, most of which contained the remains of soldiers brought to Alexandria for medical care. Running out of burial ground in Alexandria, Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs seized on the idea of burying war dead on the lawns surrounding ‘Arlington House,’ the vacated Custis homestead owned by the wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, which was then occupied by Union troops just north of the city.” [Historic Alexandria]

Old Town Eyed as Stop for Ferry Study — “Old Town is one of six sites recommended for further study as a terminal for a hydrofoil ferry pilot that its backers say could reach Navy Yard in 20 minutes, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments board heard Wednesday.” [Alexandria Brief]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On, October 14, 1918, a contract was awarded by the United States government for construction of the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station on the Alexandria waterfront. Ironically, work on the building began on November 12, 1918, the day after Armistice Day, which marked the official end of World War I. The first torpedo was produced there in November 1920. Once fully operational, the Torpedo Station was responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of torpedoes for the next five years … In 1974 the building was converted into the Torpedo Factory Arts Center, one of the nation’s first adaptive reuse projects for a historic building.” [Historic Alexandria]

Whistleblower in Pet Death Case Unveils New Allegations — “Jackie Long, 61, worked for more than 14 years for Your Dog’s Best Friends, a popular dog grooming and boarding facility in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood. She told 7News that the July 2024 death of Abigail, a young golden retriever, could have been avoided had managers heeded her earlier warnings about animal abuse at the facility … She added that she complained to both managers and business owner Paul Haire about ‘four or five’ other employees of Your Dog’s Best Friends engaging in what she considered to be abusive behavior toward dogs.” [WJLA]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 13, 1905, the Cole & Rogers Circus opened in at the old fairgrounds along upper King Street. The circus, featuring performers and live animals, had a free parade at noon and then paid performances in the afternoon and evening.” [Historic Alexandria]

City Council Convenes Tuesday for Legislative Meeting — At the 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting, City Council will have an economic update, presentation on the 911 system and the Ben Brenman Award presentation as well as consider a friendship city with Osijek, Croatia. [City of Alexandria]