The first settlement was established in 1695. About 1746 Capt. Philip Alexander II, Gent. (1704-1753) removed to what is south of present Duke Street in Alexandria. His estate which consisted of 500 acres, was bounded by Hunting Creek, Hooff’s Run, the Potomac River, and approximately the line of which would become Cameron Street. Since it was felt that the Potomac River was a good place for a prosperous town, there was a petition submitted into legislature on November 1, 1748 that the “inhabitants of Fairfax (Co.) praying that a town may be established at Hunting Creek Warehouse on Potowmack River,” as Hugh West was the owner of the warehouse. Since this was amidst his estate, Philip opposed the idea and strongly favored a site at the head of Great Hunting Creek. It has been said that in order to avoid a predicament the petitioners changed the name of the new town from Belle Haven to Alexandria, VirginiaAlexandria, in honor of Philip’s family. As a result, Philip and his cousin Capt. John Alexander (1711-1763) gave land to assist in the development of Alexandria, and are thus listed as the founders. This John was the son of Robert Alexander II (1688-1735). Lots were being sold for the town of Alexandria by July 1749, though it did not become incorporated until 1779. A portion of the City of Alexandria and all of today's Arlington County, VirginiaArlington County share the distinction of having been originally in Virginia, ceded to the U.S. Government to form the Washington, D.C.District of Columbia in 1790, and later Retrocession (District of Columbia)retroceded to Virginia by the federal government in 1846, when the District was reduced in size to exclude the portion south of the Potomac River. The City of Alexandria was re-chartered in 1852. The City of Alexandria became independent of Alexandria County, D.C.Alexandria County in 1870. The remaining portion of Alexandria County changed its name to Arlington County in 1920, ending years of confusion. See article on Arlington County, VirginiaArlington, Virginia for more information. In 1930, Alexandria annexed the Potomac, VirginiaTown of Potomac. That town, adjacent to Potomac Yard, had been laid out beginning in the late 19th century and incorporated in 1908. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria%2C_Virginia