The Washington, Alexandria, & Mt. Vernon Electric Railway

The Washington, Alexandria, & Mt. Vernon Electric Railway connected Arlington, VA at present-day Rosslyn station with Mount Vernon, about 15 miles south, with service starting in 1892. (Right of way)

The line was granted permission to connect with the District of Columbia via a barge on the Potomac, but this was never acted upon.

Image: Washington, Alexandria, and Mount Vernon Electric Railway, n.d., Visual Studies Collection, Fairfax County Public Library Historical Photographs, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Its location in eastern Virginia meant that there were many iconic American landmarks along its path, such as George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, where it ended. The line also used the present-day right-of-way of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in spots, and part of the line ran through Arlington National Cemetery and the campus of the Pentagon.

The line merged with another interurban line, the Washington, Arlington & Falls Church Railway to form the Washington-Virginia Railway in 1913. But the combined company would not last long, as competition from automobiles and buses left the interurban in a position like many others across the United States. By 1932, the trolleys would make their last run along the route.

Thanks as always for reading!

Location: George Washington's Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121, USA

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