The Best Early American Homes in Popular Alexandria

We’re visiting the pretty town of Alexandria, Virginia one more time because I didn’t share all my photos during my first post about this waterfront area that captured my heart. I think you’ll see why I believe this New England town has the best early American homes in the U.S. Add the cobblestone streets, brick sidewalks, and colorful shutters and you’ll understand what makes this place so mesmerizing.

Step outside any of these row houses onto a quaint cobblestone street that leads down to the Potomac River. A couple of things I noticed about the house on the left is the door to what I’m assuming is a basement or crawl space located below one of the windows. The other thing I thought was curious is the overlapping shutters on the first floor windows. I’ve often thought the windows on my house are too close together for shutters, but the overlapping look doesn’t bother me. Gives me something to think about.

 

Next up is a stately brick home on the corner of the same street. I find it interesting the way the horizontal pattern of the home’s brick work plays against the herringbone pattern of the sidewalk.

 

The color scheme on this Italianate-style Victorian is soft and pretty, with just a touch of red trim on the windows to spice things up a bit. The trim work is gorgeous and I like that they left the door unpainted.

 

This blue charmer has an interesting roofline. Was it peaked slightly in the middle to allow head space for a center hallway? Half shutters inside the windows create privacy from passersby on the sidewalk while allowing natural light to flow in through the top of the window.

 

A soft teal color was chosen for trim work on this corner brick home. Note how the brick steps have an oval opening under the front stoop. Inside that cubbyhole adorned with potted flowers is a small door. A lot of the homes have a miniature door leading to what I’m assuming is a crawl space.

 

A good number of the brick homes have been painted, like this white beauty. The sidewalk is brick but the street has been “updated” to asphalt. I use quotes because I don’t think asphalt is an upgrade. Easier to drive on, yes. But harder on the eyes when enjoying the charm of the town. I keep getting solicitations from paving companies to asphalt our driveway and I’ll never say yes. I like the charming rusticity of our gravel drive. It’s also more sustainable because it allows rainwater to permeate into the ground instead of sending it into the sewer system. But I digress. LOl.

 

The skinny blue house is a celebrity in this town of early American homes. It’s called the Spite House because local legend has it that the 7-foot wide home was built out of spite by John Hollensbury. You can learn more about it and see inside at House and History.

 

 

Where’s the front door on this pale yellow home with green shutters? It’s inside the green garden gate on the left side of the house.

 

In Alexandria, it’s not uncommon to see these “half” houses that are built next to another home. Most are set back from the road creating a cozy courtyard out front.

 

Of today’s collection, which style of early American homes do you like best? Brick or clapboard?

 

I thought it was clever that this brick beauty has a 1770 flag flying out front.

 

Have you noticed that a lot of the homes have a metal roof? They’re more expensive but last much longer than today’s shingle roofs.

 

Here’s one last look at the cobblestone streets and early American homes of Alexandria. If you haven’t been there, I highly suggest you go!