A Street Corner of Historical Import in Old Town Alexandria, Va.

In terms of American history, no location is insignificant; that includes Old Town Alexandria, Va., where Colonial-era Americans congregated.

A painting in the historical Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria, Va., a place that has seen plenty of history, from Colonial-era revolutionaries to early methods to keep food cold. Deena Bouknight

President’s Day is just in our rearview mirror, and the country’s semiquincentennial—that is, its 250th anniversary—is on the horizon. Thus, anything pertaining to America’s early history is especially relevant. Few people may realize that a prominent historical corner at the intersection of North Royal and Cameron Streets in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, was the site of much 18th-century history. For one, the circa-1785 Gadsby’s Tavern is where the country’s first notables dined, including George and Martha Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.

In fact, the famous Revolutionary War general and first president considered Alexandria his adoptive home. He surveyed it as a teenager and drilled troops there during the French and Indian War.

The front door of Gadsby's Tavern is a charming reminder of the architectural styles of early Colonial America. Deena Bouknight

The Surrounding Area

Washington did own a townhouse nearby on Cameron Street, and he spent nights there when he didn’t want to make the almost 10-mile horseback ride back to Mt. Vernon. However, the townhome lacked a kitchen; therefore, Gadsby’s Tavern became his go-to dining spot. The tavern, located a block off of Old Town’s main King Street is also where Washington celebrated what was referred to as a Birthnight Ball during the last two years of his life, 1798 and 1799.

Today, patrons can dine in the brick colonial building in much the same style and ambiance that Washington enjoyed. Diners today walk up well-worn stone steps and enter through a classically architectural arched entryway flanked with fluted columns. A decorative pediment sits atop them. Lighting is primarily by glass-globe candlelight; the historical multi-paned windows are made of wavy hand-blown glass; dinnerware and cutlery is mostly pewter.

The candlelight and pewter tableware is almost enough to transport visitors back to the late 1700s. Deena Bouknight

Also interesting on this corner is a partially exposed 18th-century ice well that stored blocks of ice cut from the Potomac River. Engraved into the stone steps is an advertisement offering ice for sale. Using what was common in the 1700s—what looks like an “f” for an “s”—the advertisement by the tavern owner included a date but no year.

Historical details of the tavern's participation in buying and selling ice has been memorialized in a carving of an advertisement from the late 18th century. Deena Bouknight

Visitors to the corner can peer into the 17-foot across, 11-foot deep circular built well. Steps descend deep into the cavernous space. In the 1700s, the ice well was also accessible by a vaulted tunnel that connected to the Gadsby’s Tavern basement. Diners at Gadsby’s Tavern enjoyed chilled beverages, preserved foods, and even ice cream in an era long before modern refrigeration.

“The well could store as much as 68 tons of ice, enough to supply the tavern and even the citizens of Alexandria,” according to the City of Alexandria. The ice was cut from the frozen Potomac River in the winter months and stored in the ice well. Layers of straw provided the insulation needed to preserve the ice through summer and fall months.

Finally, the 7-foot-6-inch tall bronze-and-iron Memorial Fountain, erected April 1, 1912, is located on the sidewalk just outside Gadsby’s Tavern. It was originally installed not only to memorialize important Colonial and Revolutionary events in Alexandria, but to also be a spot for people to water their horses.

The unassuming fountain was once a watering place for horses and a commemorative point to remember events in the American Revolution. Deena Bouknight

The fountain’s centerpiece is a cannon that Gen. Edward Braddock might have brought to Alexandria during the French and Indian War; however, that fact can’t be confirmed. Adorning the upturned cannon is an elaborate bronze bowl, underneath which fish sculptures have been carved. On the bowl is the inscription: “Erected April 1, 1912 by the Mount Vernon Chapter D. A. R. [Daughters of the American Revolution].

Thankfully, this corner in Alexandria was deemed important enough in the early 1900s that American Legion Post 24 stepped in to make certain the building and the surrounding features were preserved, not demolished.

The Gadsbys Tavern in Alexandria, Va., is a treasure trove of colonial American history. Beyond My Ken/CC BY-SA 4.0

Visitors can check out not only these historical aspects of this Old Town corner, but also pop into the Gadsby Tavern museum, which provides a further glimpse into the 18th century.

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