The redactors of Alexandria's historic districts in the late seventies formulated three large historic districts in Alexandria: recently, the Alexandria City Council entertained the idea of carving out two smaller historic districts which are within the bounds of the three large historic districts already existing in Alexandria.  Such a move on the part of the Alexandria City Council is progressive and falls within the ambit of the practical wisdom of Baltimore preservationists.  At this juncture, Alexandria preservationists need to rethink their major historic business thoroughfares that course through our city.  Bolton Avenue once showcased homes that rival the likes of St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans.  One has only to visit the Alexandria Historic Preservation District Commission's website to adequately access and review over what has been lost on Bolton Avenue due to the public's indifference, lack of vision, and the finality of the wrecking ball.  What has arisen on Bolton Avenue are storefronts which now remain and which are beyond the golden fifty year old number recognized by National Register officials.  The Alexandria Historic Preservation District Commission is in the process of identifying, surveying and photographing notable historic buildings on Bolton Avenue.  The Historical Association applauds the work of this commission. 

 

The major historic structures on Bolton Avenue are the St. James Episcopal Church, the old Cotton Brothers Bakery, the Don Theater, etc.  Looking down on Alexandria from an eagle's eye perspective, Bolton Avenue intersects North MacArthur Drive and proceeds east to intersect with Lee Street.  When one surveys the historic structures on Lee Street, one finds many historic store front buildings that in and of themselves need to be preserved for posterity.  For proof of this, examine the pictures below of historic storefront buildings presently existing on Lee Street.

 

Lee Street intersects Masonic Drive.  Masonic Drive extends southwesterly and takes a motorist back out to the South  Traffic Circle which is part and parcel of the South MacArthur Drive system.  You are invited to review the Historical Association's suggestions for "making a silk purse out of a sow's ear" with reference to the South Traffic Circle by clicking here.

 

GAEDA (the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Association) is already addressing Masonic Drive architecture realizing that Masonic Drive is a gateway into the City of Alexandria.  GAEDA has already purchased the old Cavalier Motel, demolished it and is making plans, according to SMART Growth dictates and the "green" movement, to utilize that property for the benefit of the city.

 

When one considers the connexity of Bolton Avenue, Lee Street and Masonic Drive, it is obvious that these three streets together form an Inner City Historic Loop.  Preservation is contagious and infectious.  The Historical Association of Central Louisiana proposes that Bolton Avenue and Lee Street be designated as separate historic districts, carved out from the City of Alexandria's larger historic districts.  This is in keeping with the recommendations of the Bolton preservationists, good preservation logic and, additionally, movement forward in the interest of preservation in our city.  Attention needs to be given to the historic structures on these streets.  Any new construction on these streets needs to be historically compatible architecture labeled by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

 

Good preservation measures have a ripple effect on contiguous properties.  There can be nothing but benefit and enhancement to our city by the city's designation of Bolton Avenue and Lee Street as separate individual historic districts.  Those properties which are contiguous to these streets will certainly feel the impact as time goes on. 

 

You Can Make A Difference.  You can partner with the Historical Association of Central Louisiana as we endeavor to further the preservation of what remains of Alexandria's historic architecture.  We invite you to click here to become a member of HACL and a partner in accomplishing the goals of historic preservation in central Louisiana.