1965 Map of Alexandria

About this map

Pentagon and the Department of Defense stand at the northern edge of this urbanized corridor during a period of rapid mid-century expansion. The landscape is a dense network of suburban developments such as Arlington Heights, Parkfairfax, and Virginia Highlands, situated between the massive infrastructure of the Washington National Airport and the Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad. The Potomac River dominates the eastern half, flanked by the Washington Channel and the Waterfowl Sanctuary at Roaches Run. Local history and genealogy are anchored by landmarks like Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Comfort Cemetery, alongside numerous vanished neighborhood schools like Hoffman Boston Jr High Sch and Barrett Sch. The map records the early configuration of the Capital Beltway as it intersects the Richmond Highway, illustrating the transition from traditional rail-based industry at Potomac Yards to the modern highway system that reshaped Northern Virginia.