Alexandria Historical Bike Ride (No Drop Ride)

[LhasaCM]

@bobco85 164120 wrote:

I will bring my rain jacket which will surely ward off any storm clouds (that’s how it works, right?) 😎

Yes – that is exactly how it worked for the Purple line ride…

[bobco85]

@LhasaCM 164135 wrote:

Yes – that is exactly how it worked for the Purple line ride…

I should add the following corollary to my hypothesis based on today’s events: being prepared for potential thunderstorms by having a rain jacket works in warding off said thunderstorms.

[bobco85]

Thank you, everyone, for coming on my ride today! We managed to ward off all thunderstorms and attract some bits of sunny blue sky, and this time we were able to visit all 34 stops! Sadly, a mechanical failure (completely stripped pedal on a tandem) caused an early departure for a few, but the rest of us soldiered on. I’m tired, throat a bit sore, and sunburnt (wasn’t expecting so much solar goodness a.k.a. harmful UV radiation), but very happy to have this experience with everyone.

That said, here are my notes on the ride that y’all must study because I may quiz you someday

• Stop #1 – Windmill Hill Park
  • Alexandria
    • Named for John Alexander who purchased the land that would become Alexandria
    • Established in May 11, 1749 by the Virginia Assembly to form a town around a tobacco warehouse at Hunting Creek
    • Originally called Belhaven by a few prominent citizens for 12 years, but the name did not stick (there are old maps referencing “Belhaven formerly known as Alexandria” and “Alexandria or Belhaven”)
    • In 1800, it became part of the District of Columbia under boundaries formed after the 1790 Residence Act
    • In 1847, Alexandria County (included both Alexandria and Arlington) was retroceded back to Virginia
    • In 1863 when West Virginia joined the Union, the capital of Virginia switched from Wheeling to Alexandria (7 counties in Northern Virginia and the Eastern Shore were Union-controlled, and Richmond was the capital of Confederate Virginia)
    • In 1865 when the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered and the Confederacy was dissolved, the capital switched back to Richmond
  • Virginia
    • Named after Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen
    • Was the name given to all of North America in the early 1600’s that was not claimed by Spain or France
  • Windmill Hill
    • Named for a wind-powered water mill built by John R. Remington from Alabama that occupied the sandy bluff in 1843
    • Used to be much steeper, but the bluff was carved out for safety
    • Established as a park in 1945
  • Occupation of Alexandria during the War of 1812
    • On August 20, 1814, the British sent ships from the Chesapeake Bay to attack Washington to distract from a northern attack, but the fleet was delayed due to navigating the tricky Kettle Bottom Shoals near the mouth of the Potomac River
    • August 27, Fort Washington (the last defense for Alexandria) went down quickly after 4 hours of bombardment as Captain Dyson spiked its guns and blew up the fort and its magazine (3,000 pounds of gunpowder) before retreating; he was then court-martialed
    • August 28, Alexandria (no defenses, all troops had been pulled back to DC by President James Madison) sent its mayor on a boat under a white flag to surrender the town
    • August 29, Alexandria became occupied by Captain James Gordon of the HMS Seahorse (38 gun frigate) and his fleet (2 frigates, 2 rocket ships, 2 bomb ships, 1 schooner) for 3 days
    • British gained 22 merchant ships and vast quantities of flour, cotton, tobacco, wines, and cigars
    • The delay from navigating the Potomac River back to the Chesapeake Bay led to a delay in the British attack on Baltimore which allowed American forces to set up their defenses and win that battle (same battle that inspired the creation of “The Star Spangled Banner”)
• Stop #2 – Pioneer Mill
  • Pioneer Mill Grain Warehouse was built in 1854 by William Fowle (Alexandria Steam Flour Company) at the end of Duke Street
  • It was 6 stories in height and one of the largest steam flour mills in the US, powered by a 250 horsepower steam engine that turned a dozen run-of-burr millstones and produced 800 barrels each day
  • Grain would arrive via both ships and trains
  • Went into ruin after it was not used in the Civil War and burned to the ground in a major 1897 fire
  • The Robinson Terminal Warehouse Company built a warehouse (Robinson Terminal South Warehouse) in 1939 on the former site of Pioneer Mill, but now that is being taken down for new development
• Stop #3 – Ramsay House
  • Ramsay House
    • Built in 1724, traditionally referred to as the oldest house in Alexandria
    • Now the Alexandria Visitor Center
  • William Ramsay
    • Scottish merchant, one of the founders of Alexandria
    • First mayor of Alexandria
• Stop #4 – Carlyle House
  • Carlyle House
    • Stone mansion built in 1753
    • Used by General Braddock as his headquarters during the French & Indian War
    • Became used as a hotel by James Green, then used by Union troops as a hospital during the Civil War, went into disrepair, then became an apartment building, then a museum during WWI, then apartments again, finally restored in 1970-1976 by NOVA Parks for part of nationwide bicentennial celebration
  • John Carlyle
    • Scottish merchant, one of the founders of Alexandria
    • Married to Sarah Fairfax, cousin of the 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron
• Stop #5 – Market Square
  • Market Square
    • George Washington led his troops to fight in the French & Indian War from here
    • Rallies were held for both Union & Confederate soldiers & sympathizers
    • Slaves were sold here along with other goods
    • Held the public whipping post
  • Sophia Browning Bell
    • Slave woman who sold goods in Market Square
    • Earned enough money to free her husband George Bell in 1801
    • Helped establish the first school for black children in DC
  • Gadsby’s Tavern
    • Oldest building that has been preserved and restored in Alexandria
    • Mary Hawkins was the proprietor of this tavern
    • George Washington frequented the tavern that served primarily upper class people
• Stop #6 – East Coast Greenway Midpoint
  • Greenway was launched in 1991
  • 3,000 mile route running from Calais, ME to Key West, FL
  • Over 30% of the route is on firm-surface trails
  • Oronoco Bay Park is at the midpoint of the Greenway
• Stop #7 – Tide Lock Park
  • Alexandria Canal
    • Built in 1833-1843 to connect Georgetown to Alexandria
    • 7 miles long, 50 feet wide, ran along Eads St, Commonwealth Ave, & Washington St
    • Used to ship coal (most important), wheat, corn, flour, whiskey, fish, salt, & lumber
    • Responsible for the economic rebirth of Alexandria in the mid-19th Century
    • 4 lift locks lowered boats 38 feet to the Potomac River
    • Ended operation in 1886, towpath was used to build an electric railway
  • Canal Center
    • Features “Promenade Classique” sculpture garden created by French artists Anne & Patrick Poirier

[bobco85]

It’s kinda cool, as I type these notes I have memories of each of the actual stops that we did on the ride today. Good times were had!

• Stop #8 – Charles Houston Recreation Center
  • Charles Hamilton Houston
    • Civil rights lawyer and Dean of the Howard University Law School
    • Died before Brown v. Board of Education SCOTUS case was ruled
    • Mentored Thurgood Marshall
    • First special counsel for the NAACP
  • Parker-Gray School
    • Founded in 1920 to combine the Snowden School (boys-only) and Hallowell School (girls-only) for grades 1-8, named for principals of previous schools
    • Black students used to have to travel into DC for education past 8th grade
    • 1st students to graduate from the new high school (11th grade) in 1936
    • Renamed to Charles Houston Elementary School in 1950 when the new Parker-Gray High School was built
  • John Parker – principal of Snowden School which was destroyed in a fire in 1915
  • Sarah Gray – principal of Hallowell School
  • Earl Lloyd – student at Parker-Gray, first black person to play in NBA (3 other black players debuted in that same season, but the team Earl was on had its season opener earlier than the others)
• Stop #9 – Alexandria Black History Museum
  • Robert H. Robinson Library
    • Constructed in 1940 after a court agreed that black citizens should have access to a library after Samuel W. Tucker’s sit-down strike
    • Became the Alexandria Black History Museum in 1983
• Stop #10 – Lee-Fendall House
  • Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee
    • Cavalry officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution
    • Served as the 9th governor of Virginia and a representative to US Congress
    • Gave the eulogy at George Washington’s funeral, famously saying of Washington: “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”
  • Robert E. Lee’s Boyhood Home
    • Across the street, Robert E. Lee left from here to attend West Point
    • The home also hosted George Washington
  • Lee-Fendall House
    • Built in 1785, 37 members of the Lee family called it home until 1903
    • Housed hundreds of Union soldiers during the Civil War
    • Owned by the Downham family and later by John L. Lewis (1937-1969)
  • John L. Lewis
    • Foremost national labor leader of his time and very controversial figure
    • Worked as a coal miner at age 16
    • Worked with the United Mine Workers Association and organized coal mine strikes across the country
• Stop #11 – Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
  • Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
    • Constructed in 1937, formerly known as the Alexandria Library or Queen Street Library
    • Named for Kate Waller Barrett, a humanitarian, social crusader, and political reformer who founded a shelter for unwed mothers
  • Samuel Wilbert Tucker
    • Attorney who orchestrated the 1st sit-down strike on August 21, 1939 that involved 5 individuals (Otis L. Tucker, Edward Gaddis, Morris Murray, William Evans, Clarence Strange)
    • After Samuel and retired Sergeant Wilson requested a library card and were refused, they took the issue to court
    • Samuel had the 5 kids tried separately, boiled down to their race being the only issue, charges were dropped
    • Became the leading attorney for the NAACP in Virginia and crusaded against segregation in public schools
• Stop #12 – Beth El Synagogue
  • Established by ~40 Jewish families on September 4, 1859
  • Rented facilities until building the first synagogue in the DC area in 1871
• Stop #13 – Eugene Simpson Stadium Park
  • On Wednesday, June 14, 2017, a man opened fire on Republican members of Congress who were practicing for a charity baseball game
  • House GOP Whip Steve Scalise (Louisiana) was critically injured during this event, but has been doing much better as he recovers
• Stop #14 – Potomac Yard
  • Potomac Yard
    • Opened in 1906, was 450 acres, 2.5 miles long, and had 52 miles of track
    • Employed up to 1,500 people at its peak, people settled in Del Ray and St. Elmo neighborhoods
    • Closed in 1982, was declared a Superfund site, cleaned up by 1998, then converted to parks, commercial, and residential areas
  • Pearson Island
    • First settled by Native Americans, it was technically an island because it was surrounded by a swamp and a creek
    • Later named Daingerfield Island
    • Was modified to bow out toward the East to deflect ebbing currents toward the main river channel and away from the Southern half of the island
    • National Park Service has had a tree nursery on it for over 60 years
• Stop #15 – Preston
  • John Alexander and his wife lived in a spacious dwelling on the site of current-day Barnes & Noble
  • In 1808, the Washington Turnpike passed by Preston
  • Destroyed by a fire in 1862, it was graded over for development

[bobco85]

One more set for tonight, and I’ll post the other 2 parts on Sunday.

• Stop #16 – Walter F. Anderson Bikeway
  • Luna Park
    • Amusement park running from 1906-1915, part of chain owned by Frederick Ingersoll
    • 34 acres, had figure 8 roller coaster, shoot-the-chutes ride, ballroom, circus arena, restaurants, and picnicking facilities for 3,000 people
    • Fire destroyed the roller coaster in April 1915; nearest fire hydrant was in Alexandria (think Old Town) over a mile away, park closed down soon afterwards
    • Now occupied by a sewage treatment facility (roller coaster site just North of 31st St S)
  • Washington, Alexandria, & Mount Vernon Electric Railway
    • Started in 1892, nation’s first successful electric trolley line
    • Ran between Alexandria & Mount Vernon before expanding North to Washington (14th St/B St NW near Federal Triangle Metro)
    • Ran on Alexandria Canal towpath along I-395, Eads St, Commonwealth Ave, & the GW Parkway to Mount Vernon and eventually Fort Belvoir
    • Traffic circle at Mount Vernon is the trolley turnaround
    • Last trolleys of the line ran in 1932
    • Rail yard is now the Metro bus yard
  • Wayne Frederick Anderson Bikeway
    • Wayne F. Anderson was a city planner from 1970-1974
    • Washington Post article wrote: “As Alexandria city manager (1970-1974), Mr. Anderson worked to balance land development pressures with quality-of-life concerns. He also worked to improve relations with the city’s black population, reorganized government departments and helped develop plans to revive neglected schools, neighborhoods and business districts.”
• Stop #17 – Alexandria Junction
  • Washington & Old Dominion Railroad
    • Construction began in 1855, meant to cross Blue Ridge Mountains to reach coal fields in Hampshire County, Virginia (now Mineral County, West Virginia)
    • Began operation in 1859 running from a terminal near Princess/Fairfax Streets in Alexandria to Vienna
    • After being extended, it ran from Alexandria to Bluemont (near VA-WV line)
    • Originally the Alexandria & Harper’s Ferry Railroad -> Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad -> Washington and Ohio Railroad -> Washington and Western Railroad -> Washington, Ohio and Western Railroad -> leased by Richmond and Danville Railroad -> acquired by Southern Railway in 1894 -> acquired in 1912 by John Roll McLean (McLean is named after him) and Stephen Benton Elkins as part of the new Washington & Old Dominion Railway -> bought by Stephen Elkins’ son Davis Elkins to become Washington & Old Dominion Railroad -> purchased by Chesapeake & Ohio Railway and owned by them until 1968 when it ended service
  • Alexandria Junction
    • Connected the Bluemont Line with Union Station in DC for the Southern Railway
    • Built before Bluemont Junction
• Stop #18 – Del Ray
  • Town of Potomac
    • Formed in 1908 as a combination of Del Ray, St. Elmo, and the site of the former St. Asaph Racetrack & poolroom
  • Del Ray
    • Originally formed in 1894 between Commonwealth Ave, t. Ida Ave, Bellefonte Ave, & US-1
    • After the city of Alexandria annexed the town of Potomac in 1930, the town became the Del Ray neighborhood
  • St. Elmo
    • Originally on the East side of the W&OD between Ashby St, Calvert Ave, & US-1
    • Became part of the town of Potomac
  • St. Asaph Racetrack
    • Horse racetrack operating from 1894-1897 when Virginia banned betting on horse races
    • Betting moved to poolroom which was making $150k/year in profit by placing bets via telegraph (claimed bets were technically being placed outside the state) but also had gambling (poker, roulette, etc.) inside
    • Closed down in 1905 by Commonwealth Attorney Crandall Mackey
• Stop #19 – Alexandria Union Station
  • Opened in 1905, serviced passenger trains of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, Washington Southern Railway, and Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad
  • In 1971, Amtrak took ownership of the building, and CSX Transportation took ownership of the rails
  • In 2001, ownership changed to the city of Alexandria
  • Referred to as Alexandria Station to avoid confusion with DC’s Union Station (typically the next stop)
  • Used to have both a passenger station and a freight station; King Street Metro was constructed on the site of the old freight station
• Stop #20 – George Washington Masonic Temple
  • Built from 1922-1932 to honor George Washington who was a Mason (part of Fredericksburg Lodge before becoming Charter Master at Alexandria-Washington Lodge)
  • Built in the likeness of the Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt
  • Sits atop Shuter’s Hill a.k.a. “Shooter’s Hill”
  • At first, a life-size bronze statue of George Washington was on display in Alexandria from 1861-1863 before it was moved to Richmond and later destroyed in a fire in 1865
• Stop #21 – T.C. Williams High School
  • Opened in 1965, named after Thomas Chambliss Williams, superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools from the mid-1930’s to the mid-1960’s
  • Stadium was dedicated as Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium on October 29, 1983
  • Basketball court named in honor of Earl Lloyd (1st black NBA player) in 2007
  • Movie “Remember the Titans” portrays consolidation of the city’s 3 public high schools into one in 1971 creating an all-star team (climax of the film was actually a mid-season game against Marshall, the only team that put up a fight; T.C. Williams rolled over everyone else to the championship)
  • Known for its internationally competitive rowing program that has won state, national, and international championships and produced Olympic athletes
  • Notable alums include Casey Wilson (actress & screenwriter), David Bray (FCC exec), and Edward Wong (foreign correspondent)
• Stop #22 – Episcopal High School
  • Founded in 1839 as the first high school in Virginia, originally known as The Howard School
  • Central administration building (Hoxton House) was built in 1805 by Elizabeth Parke Custis Law (oldest granddaughter of Martha Washington)
  • Closed during the Civil War, used as a hospital for Federal troops
  • Famed poet Walt Whitman served as a nurse at the temporary hospital
  • Became co-ed in 1991
  • Notable alums include John McCain (politician, excelled at wrestling while there), Tim Hightower (NFL running back), and Lester Kinsolving (political talk radio host, first White House correspondent to ask questions about the HIV/AIDS epidemic during the Reagan administration)

[reji]

Thanks for yet another fun and fact-filled ride! And thanks for bringing your powerful rain jacket ju ju!

[bikesnick]

Bob,
Thank you for all your research, leading, great stories, and for posting your notes. The ride was fun (even the off-road section, sidewalks, cobbles, and creepy tunnel).
/g

[bobco85]

I’m glad everyone had a great time, and I was happy to hear the additional historical information that many on the ride were able to offer! Alright, back to work on these notes!

• Stop #23 – Fort Ward
  • Built in 1861 and named for Commander James H. Ward, the first Union naval officer to die in the Civil War
  • Never attacked by Confederates
  • Earthen walls are 90-95% intact due to preservation efforts, one of the best mid-Atlantic preserved forts
• Stop #24 – Stonegate Archaeological Preserve
  • Developers pledged not to disturb this site in the 1990’s
  • Alexandria’s first legally designated Archaeological Preserve
  • Earliest identifiable artifacts found were 2 projectile points (lobate points) from ~5500 B.C.E.
  • Native Americans passed through here as early as 8,500 years ago
  • 3 sites found where they used the bluff tops to manufacture tools and build campfires
  • 1 site found below a bluff on a terrace overlooking the creek that had projectile points and Accokeek pottery (temporary/seasonal camp)
• REST STOP – Seminary Plaza
• Stop #25 – Cloud’s Mill
  • Built in 1813, also known as Triadelphia, used to produce flour
  • Partially preserved mill race ran from Beauregard/Morgan to Duke St
  • Used during Civil War to launch aerial reconnaissance missions by the Balloon Corps
• Stop #26 – Cameron Station
  • Cameron Station
    • Location of the Defense Logistics Agency (combat support), operated from 1941-1995, made of 8 massive warehouse buildings
    • Closed by the 1988 Base Realignment and Closure Commission and turned into a residential area
  • Camp California
    • Extensive federal encampment during Civil War
    • Strathblane estate located on Strathblane Pl near Patrick Henry ES served as headquarters for the encampment
  • Colonel Ben Brenman
    • Alexandria community activist for over 30 years
    • Involved in scores of projects including acquisition of the park that was later named for him (Ben Brenman Park)
    • Founded the Alexandria Archaeological Commission and served as its chairman for 21 years
    • Ben Brenman Archaeology in Alexandria Award presented to people who have given significant contributions toward Alexandria’s community archaeology and acknowledges high quality work and efforts towards preservation and more
• Stop #27 – Phoenix Mill
  • Built in 1812, only remaining mill structure in Alexandria
  • Also known as Brown’s Mill, Watkin’s Mill, and Dominion Mill
  • Had 8,000 foot mill race running from Holmes/Backlick Runs into Cameron Run
  • Produced 10,000 barrels of flour each year
  • Can’t go inside because it’s not safe
• Stop #28 – Cameron Mills
  • 2 mills built around 1752, possibly by William Bird, near Taylor Run/Cameron Run
  • Eastern mill purchased by Alexandria Water Company and became a pumping station in 1851, pumped water into a reservoir by Shuter’s Hill for over a century
  • Western mill operated until 1919, owned by Walter Roberts who also ran a grain and feed store (now Virtue Feed & Grain restaurant, in the alley you can see the original “Walter Roberts” on the brick wall) at Union St/Wales Alley – mill burned down in 1928
• Stop #29 – Dwight David Eisenhower Statue
  • Built to officially mark the start of the Eisenhower national expressway system
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways is the full name of the interstate system, authorized by Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956
  • Ike served as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during WWII
  • My grandfather (Leonard Daniel Dry), born in Hutsonville, IL, served in US Army and was put in Ike’s unit in Europe due to his mechanical and driving skills, once drove Winston Churchill, later joined Secret Service when Ike ran for president, Ike responsible for his marriage

[bobco85]

Alright, time for the last set of notes before I do something else with my day (probably something with biking :cool:).

• Stop #30 – African-American Heritage Memorial Park
  • African-American Heritage Memorial Park
    • Opened in 1995, is an 8 acre park containing a cemetery and an African-American burial ground dating before the Civil War
    • Sculptor Jerome Meadows created the bronze tree memorial sculptures called “Truths That Rise from the Roots – – Remembered”
    • Other sculptures commemorate historic African-American neighborhoods and the 21 people buried in Black Baptist Cemetery
  • The Bottoms
    • Settled in 1798, first free black neighborhood in Alexandria
    • Undesirable marsh “bottom” land leased to free men, now more commonly called the Dip
    • Free black population rose greatly when Alexandria became part of District of Columbia due to its less restrictive laws against black assembly and education
    • First black religious congregation, Colored Baptist Society, formed in 1803, built first black church in Alexandria in 1818 (Alfred Street Baptist Church)
    • Odd Fellows Hall built in 1870, site of ceremonies, social gathering, and business meetings for over a century
• Stop #31 – Franklin & Armfield Slave Office
  • Built 1810-1820, housed the offices of the largest slave trading firm in the antebellum South, started in 1828 by Isaac Franklin and John Armfield
  • Extension behind the building was used as part of the slave-holding facilities, there were also other slave pens whose bricks were used to build the adjacent townhouses
  • Was in use until Alexandria fell to Union forces in the Civil War
• Stop #32 – Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery
  • In January 1864, the federal government established this cemetery as a burying ground for freedmen in Alexandria who were sometimes called Contrabands
  • Contraband: good that has been imported/exported illegally, i.e. smuggled
  • Graves marked with a whitewashed wooden grave marker
  • Burials ended in 1869 when the government abandoned the cemetery, and it became forgotten, encroached by gas station, railroad, and interstate
  • In 1987 the city of Alexandria started the process to turn it into a memorial park
  • Approximately 1,800 people were buried at the cemetery, at least 123 graves have been located by archaeologists as of 2004 (note: a plaque at the cemetery shows up to 540 have now been located)
• Stop #33 – Woodrow Wilson Bridge
  • Jones Point
    • Starts from South side of Wilson Bridge at Lee (Water) and South (DNE) Streets, standing on impassible quagmire
    • Named after Calwallder Jones, a frontier trader who set up a post here in 1682
    • Once referred to as Piper’s Island because high tides would separate it from the mainland (Piper name unknown)
  • Woodrow Wilson Bridge
    • Built in 1961, crosses 3 jurisdictions (a spot on the bridge between the 1st and 2nd observation decks is technically in DC; marked on the bridge itself, too)
    • Named for the 100th anniversary of Woodrow Wilson’s birth, his widow died the morning of the bridge opening to traffic
    • Designed to handle 75,000 vehicles/day, it was serving 200,000 vehicles/day by 1999
    • New bridge opened in 2006, spans 20 feet higher, bike/pedestrian path opened in 2009
  • Battery Cove
    • Named for Battery Rodgers during Civil War
    • Filled in 1911-1912 to make space for ship-buildings operation
    • President Woodrow Wilson drove 1st rivet in a ceremony marking opening of shipbuilding yard on May 30, 1918
  • Virginia Shipbuilding Corporation
    • Built facilities for 7,000 workers in the matter of 3 months
• Stop #34 – Jones Point Lighthouse
  • Jones Point Lighthouse
    • Built in 1855, served primarily as a warning lights for naval ships approaching Navy Yard
    • Used a fifth order Fresnel lens (most advanced at the time) that could be seen up to 9 miles away
    • Discontinued in 1926 and replaced by a small steel skeletal tower for 10 years
    • Damaged by weather, tides, vandalism, target practice by soldiers during WWII, about half of the wood was gone
    • Sold by Daughters of the American Revolution to the National Park Service and became a park in 1964
    • Only river lighthouse still standing in the Chesapeake Bay area, but only working lighthouse on the Potomac River is at Fort Washington
  • DC South Boundary Stone
    • In March 1791, President George Washington issued a proclamation that established Jones Point as the starting point for the federal territory’s boundary survey
    • Survey team was made of Major Andrew Ellicott, Joseph Ellicott, Benjamin Ellicott, Isaac Roberdeau, George Fenwick, Isaac Briggs, and Benjamin Banneker
    • Survey team placed boundary stones in 1791-1792, area contained became District of Columbia in 1801
    • Daughters of the American Revolution to thank for putting protective iron cages around each one of the boundary stones
  • Major Andrew Ellicott
    • American surveyor, part of team surveying Mason-Dixon Line
    • Continued and completed L’Enfant’s work on the plan for DC
    • Mentor and teacher for Meriwether Lewis
    • Surveyed many of the lands West of the Appalachians but East of the Mississippi River (before Louisiana Purchase)
  • Benjamin Banneker
    • Free African-American born in Baltimore
    • Almanac author, surveyor, naturalist, and farmer, largely self-taught
    • Knowledge of astronomy led to many commercially successful almanacs

[bobco85]

I’ve got great news: I just completed my guidebook for the Alexandria Historical Bike Ride!

For those not in the know about this, here’s the sequence of events:

1. Initially, it was close to being finished in August
2. My laptop broke (motherboard fried)
3. I tried to get it fixed, but Apple considers 2011 hardware to be too ancient and Microcenter told me the cost to fix would be more than a new computer i.e. my laptop was totaled
4. Agony
5. In my process of moving to Seattle, I ordered a new laptop
6. New laptop arrives, I get all my design applications back on it (luckily had registered them with Adobe, so redownloading was easy)
7. I took the hard drive from the old laptop, plugged it in (external USB), and voila, the files were still there!
8. Researching the cost of printing X number of copies, cutting them, and binding them, I concluded that it was cheaper to buy my own printer, paper trimmer (has the sliding blade to cut many pages in half with smooth edge), and binding machine
9. I acquired everything necessary
10. Now: I have finished the guidebook (including proofreading and double-checking all directions) and have started production

I will be contacting a few folks who will be tasked with distributing a limited number of the guidebooks, but I will also make the guidebook available as a PDF just like my Arlington one. (takes deep breath)

(WHEW!)

I don’t know if y’all could hear that from the East Coast, but I am relieved that it is finally complete!

[lordofthemark]

VisitAlexandria would be interested in details of this project. They said as much at the last BPAC meeting.

[bobco85]

@lordofthemark 166601 wrote:

VisitAlexandria would be interested in details of this project. They said as much at the last BPAC meeting.

Awesome! Do you have any contact info for the VisitAlexandria representative? You can give them my e-mail.

[bobco85]

@lordofthemark 166601 wrote:

VisitAlexandria would be interested in details of this project. They said as much at the last BPAC meeting.

Update: I reached out to them, and after some discussion, I am happy to announce that the Alexandria Visitor Center is planning on printing a few of the guidebooks! They said the guidebooks will be available in early 2018. Thank you for getting me in touch with them!

[bobco85]

The guidebooks for this ride have now arrived in Virginia! I sent a box of them each to Steve O and CaseyKane50 for distribution. If you want an electronic PDF version, let me know so I can send one to you.

[Starduster]

@bobco85 169995 wrote:

The guidebooks for this ride have now arrived in Virginia! I sent a box of them each to Steve O and CaseyKane50 for distribution. If you want an electronic PDF version, let me know so I can send one to you.

Yes I would! William_G_Fuchs@msn.com

[Author]

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