Alexandria, VA – The home featured in last month’s Unseen Old Town is the Taylor-Fraser House, named for two of its former owners. It’s located at 700 South Pitt Street, but it wasn’t always.
That is the Unseen aspect of this story. Similar to at least a couple of other houses in town, including the Visitor’s Center at the Ramsay House on King Street and Arch Hall, which was on Franklin St, but was moved by barge to Mason Neck in the Fifties.
While in college in 1975, I remember my mom sending me an article from The Alexandria Gazette featuring several photos of the Taylor-Fraser house mounted on aircraft tires as it was pulled by tanks through town. It was previously located at 109 South Pitt Street and was pulled down South Washington Street rather than Pitt Street to avoid utility lines there. It was placed to a vacant lot on the corner of Pitt and Franklin Streets, previously the location of a beloved tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa. Once moved, the home was renovated and expanded to the handsome house it is today.
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.
ICYMI: George Washington Slept Here, and There, and Over There
