Developers map of the new community of Northwest Alexandria circa 1890. Gedney & Roberts, and A. M Gorman. Perspective view of northwest Alexandria: showing location with reference to cities of Washington & Alexandria. [Washington, D.C.: A.M. Gorman, 189, 1890] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/89692599/.
Originally published in the October 2023 edition of Greet Del Ray.
One of the original suburbs of Alexandria was located where Del Ray, Rosemont and North Ridge meet today. Almost four years before Del Ray was founded, the Northwest Alexandria Improvement Company began selling lots in their new development, which became known as Braddock Heights. The company advertised the splendid views of Washington, Alexandria and the Potomac River. They also highlighted the planned road from Washington to Mount Vernon and new electric railway passed through the new suburb. Two years later in 1892, the electric railroad opened passing through the new settlement along the path of modern day Commonwealth Avenue. It had two stations within the subdivision to pick up passengers, which made the area an easy commute to jobs in Alexandria and Washington. Despite these conveniences, the lack of utilities such as indoor plumbing cause slow sales, and the company was selling off lots for years.
Sales began in the Northeastern portion of the area, in what is now a part of Del Ray. This area was relatively flatter and easier to build on than the Southwestern part around Timber Branch. The establishment of the electric railroad derailed efforts to create a road to Mount Vernon through the community, and the planned “Mt. Vernon Avenue” was finished as Russell Road. The community of Del Ray was also established to the Northeast with easier access to Richmond Highway, which further slowed sales. However, sewer lines and indoor plumbing came to the area in 1923, leading to additional development in and around Northwest Alexandria. Houses were build lining Alexandria Avenue all the way to Richmond Highway in the Park Addition to Northwest Alexandria. After a contentious battle, the portion of Arlington County south of Four Mile Run was annexed into the City of Alexandria on January 1st, 1930. After annexation, the original developments blurred, and the definition of Del Ray came to include the portions of Northwest Alexandria located East of Russell Road and North of Braddock Road.