Top Twelve Homes in Alexandria

We are looking at my selection of 12 top homes and buildings in Alexandria.  Today we look at the "Fowle House."

Fowle House, 711 Prince Street

In Hollywood, inquiring minds and helicopters want to know where movie stars live.  In Old Town Alexandria, the million-dollar homes are made famous mostly by their 18^th and 19^th Century occupants.

In the case of 711 Prince Street, where a red-brick three-story home is set back from the street, the rich and famous celebrity was William H. Fowle.   He distinguished himself in Alexandria as a businessman who ran several prominent companies including Pioneer Mill and the Bank of Virginia.  Harold W. Hurst writes that the Fowle home was the center of “many brilliant social gatherings.”  ("Alexandria on the Waterfront")

According to the Alexandria website, the original owner was James Patton.   Some 14 years later, William Fowle purchased the property.  Ted Pulliam (Historic Alexandria) notes he enlarged what was a two-story flounder house built in 1808.

The Office of Historic Alexandria wrote about this house in 2010, in their weekly series “Out of the Attic,” published in the "Alexandria Times."  They note, “Fowle expanded his home considerably, adding a west wing that was at least two and possibly three stories high.”

His daughter oversaw another enlargement to the northwest side of the building.   In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a porch, sleeping porch and portico was added.  Owners in 1960 secured a preservation easement, designed to ensure architectural integrity.

In her book, "The History of Old Alexandria, Virginia," Mary G. Powell notes that Fowle amassed a considerable fortune and was “a man whose generous charities were well known.”

The beauty of this house is matched by its fabulous location, one of the best in the city.   That is to say, I’m not sure there is an equivalent in terms of having such a large house, a front yard, and being just one block from King and Washington.  And the neighbors - The Lyceum and the equally beautiful Swann-Dangerfield House across the street.  

Everyone has their favorites and this is one of mine.  And fortunately, there’s no helicopters involved.

 Note:  Do not confuse this house with the Bayne-Fowle House at 811 Prince.