Alexandria, VA – The yellow townhouse on the southwest corner of Prince and South Fairfax Streets is the subject of July’s Unseen Old Town. A recently added plaque identifies the building as the Warfield Apothecary, which was in business in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, the indentations below the plaque are what really caught my eye and their story is why they’re included in Unseen Old Town this month.
For many years, I had heard that the indentations in the brick wall were caused by bullets fired by a Union soldier during the Civil War. The story goes that the sentry was keeping watch over Green’s Steam Furniture Works, across the street, which had been commandeered by the occupying Federal forces, and used as a jail to house Confederate prisoners.
Apparently, one night, an escaping Confederate was fired upon by the sentry, who missed his target striking the Warfield Apothecary, instead. The musket balls left at least one, if not two, indentations in the brick, which are still evident-if you know where to look. Until the new plaque was installed, it’s not likely you would have noticed the marks left in the building.
Have you noticed this around town? Where is it? What do you know about it?
To see more quirky photos and close-up angles of secret and not-so-secret spots in Old Town, Alexandria, and jump in with guesses, and comments, follow the discussion, and submit your own photos for consideration, join the Unseen Old Town Facebook group!
As for the photo above, we will reveal what it is and where it is in our next issue, along with a new one for you to ponder.
