This morning, my inbox served up an unexpected dose of nostalgia.
An article about America’s skinniest house transported me back to October 2019 and the charming streets of Old Town Alexandria, where this architectural oddity still stands as a testament to one man’s creative problem-solving – or perhaps his petty genius.
The Alexandria Spite House, as it’s known today, came to be in 1830 when local brickmaker John Hollensbury grew tired of the nuisances plaguing the alley beside his home.
Horse-drawn carriages would scrape against his walls, and loiterers would gather in the narrow passage. His solution? He simply built a house in the 7.5-foot-wide alley. I’d always assumed “Spite” was the builder’s surname, but learning the true story behind this slender dwelling made me appreciate it even more.
The spite house sits in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, a historic district that feels like a living museum along the Potomac.
Cobblestone streets wind between 18th-century townhouses, each with its own story to tell. George Washington himself was known to frequent Gadsby’s Tavern, and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, opened in 1783, still stands as a testament to the area’s rich history. The Saturday farmers’ market, a tradition spanning 260 years, continues to bring life and local flavor to these historic streets.
During my visit, I found myself at Hummingbird Bar and Kitchen, tucked inside the Hotel Indigo.
The restaurant’s navy blue and white color scheme, complemented by ash wood accents, creates a rustic coastal atmosphere that perfectly matches its riverside location. Their fried green tomatoes were deliciously memorable enough to warrant a special mention in my travel notes.
This journey down memory lane reminded me of how I first discovered Old Town Alexandria.
I was working at FOREO at the time, and our team had flown to DC for a PR event at the MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino.
We spent the day presenting our professional skincare devices to local specialists and curious visitors, our technical presentations punctuated by genuine laughter and camaraderie. The venue’s grandeur provided the perfect backdrop for our event.
After a successful presentation, we treated ourselves to dinner at Ginger, MGM’s Pan-Asian restaurant.
In its posh setting, I savored wonton noodle soup, ending a successful day with good food in good company.
I’m grateful for that random article that triggered these memories. Old Town Alexandria, with its spite houses and cobblestone streets, its historic taverns and modern restaurants, remains one of the most captivating places I’ve had the pleasure to explore. It’s a perfect blend of past and present, where every narrow alley and historic building has a story to tell – even if that story is born of spite.
Wander This Way
- Old Town Alexandria (Visitor Center), 221 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
- Alexandria Spite House, 523 Queen St. Alexandria, VA 22314
- Hummingbird Bar and Kitchen, 220 S Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
- MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino, 101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
- Ginger, 101 MGM National Ave MGM, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
