Not too long ago, the entire Alexandria, Virginia waterfront was devoted to industrial uses, not condos, restaurants, and parks. It's getting harder and harder to imagine that, but it's true. The waterfront of just 50 or 100 years ago was devoted entirely to warehouses and non-tourist friendly ugliness.
The Alexandria Fertilizer and Chemical Company is a perfect example. Founded in 1889, just ten years later, the Washington Post would describe it as “one of the largest and strongest concerns operating in the South." It would end up filling the better part of two blocks of what we now consider prime Old Town property.
The 1915-1916 calendar and catalog featured here hints at a great story. Let's take a look inside.
I think it's interesting how three of the four products offered are focused on tobacco. When I think of tobacco, I think of a time 200 years ago, not the 1900s. I also think it's interesting how they focus on the quality of their railroad facilities. If you look at the map below, it makes sense. The railroad ran right on N. Union Street.
Move the slider to see the area that Alexandria Fertilizer used to occupy and how it is used today. You'll see that it is primarily townhouses and a riverfront park.
Here's the street view of that same block today.
Here is an advertisement for Alexandria Fertilizer from 1893. It gives a sense of the layout of the place.
Here is an aerial shot of Alexandria Fertilizer.
Finally, here's an aerial shot of the entire Alexandria waterfront as it appeared in the early 20th century. There is nothing remotely cute or pretty about Old Town at this stage. Only through the hard work of long-term visionaries of the past 100 years have we reached the tourist-friendly point where we are now. I'm proud of our town. I'm proud of where we came from, and I'm happy that we have left the industrial waterfront in our past. Not all history is meant to be saved.
Alexandria Fertilizer appears at the bottom right.