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100th Anniversary of the Town of Potomac
Del Ray is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Town of Potomac in 2008.
The community of Del Ray grew up around the railroad and could be considered one of the first commuting suburbs in the area. As the 19th century was ending, the new neighborhoods of Del Ray and St. Elmo were being planned north of the Alexandria city limits. The communities were laid out in grids of long blocks and served by a light railway that could take residents to Washington, D.C., in minutes.
When Potomac Yard opened in 1906, the population of greater Del Ray began to grow significantly. In 1908, Del Ray and St. Elmo formed the incorporated Town of Potomac, with its own mayor, council and police and fire service. The City of Alexandria annexed the Potomac in 1930 and the town ceased to exist. The Town of Potomac was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Del Ray Slideshow
In anticipation of the 100-year anniversary of Potomac’s founding in 2008, citizens and business people in Del Ray are now making plans to document and celebrate the community’s heritage. Del Ray residents Rebecca and Jim Snyder produced a narrated slideshow about Del Ray (see above), featuring many fascinating historical photos and images, thanks to neighbor Leland Ness.
Del Ray Interpretive Signs
As you walk, bike or drive around the Del Ray neighborhood, discover more about Del Ray's heritage through these interpretive signs, erected for the anniversary of the town of Potomac.
Town of Potomac (pdf 2.1MB) and Mount vernon Avenue (PDF 1.9MB)
Farmer’s Market (East Oxford & Mount Vernon avenues)Electric Railway (pdf 3.7MB)
Mount Vernon Community School (2601 Commonwealth Avenue) on the west sideSchools of Potomac (pdf 3.6Mb)
Mount Vernon Community School on the Mount Vernon Avenue sideSt. Asaph Racetrack (pdf 3.7MB)
Charles Hill Park (East Oxford & DeWitt avenues)Bluemont Line (pdf 1.4MB)
Mount Jefferson Park (200 block of East Raymond Avenue)Almshouse (pdf 1.6MB)
Simpson Stadium Park (426 East Monroe Avenue)Town Hall & Firehouse (pdf 4.4MB)
Fire Station 202 (213 East Windsor Avenue)
Del Ray Oral History Project
As part of the 100th Anniversary celebrations, an oral history project is underway with long-time residents. Check back for more Oral Histories.
More on Del Ray History
For more information about the history of Del Ray and the Town of Potomac, please visit these sites:
WETA
Del Ray Citizens Association
National Register of Historic Places Nomination
Del Ray/St. Elmo Archaeological Resource Area
