Join City Historian on WTOP's "Matt About Town"
Explore some of Alexandria's more obscure historic sites with City Historian Dan Lee and WTOP's Matt Kaufax.
This DC-area urban legend lives on through a little known historical marker in Virginia
In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax heads to Old Town Alexandria to learn more about one of the D.C. region’s most peculiar urban legends.
It’s something Matt found out about after doing a story on the City of Alexandria’s new “sign finder,” a digital locator tool that gives you access to nearly 200 of the city’s historical markers at your fingertips.
When Matt went looking through the sign finder, he stumbled upon a marker in Old Town North, on N. Pitt Street near First and Montgomery: A sign commemorating the story of this oddly proportioned hybrid creature, which first popped up in Alexandria around the early 1800s.
Come along with Matt, and an Alexandria historian you’ve come to know through his show, to learn more about this tall tale!
You can see the “Goosepig” marker for yourself by visiting historic Old Town Alexandria, or you can view a PDF of the marker using the Sign Finder tool on the city’s website.
Courtesy of WTOP, March 11, 2025
New digital tool allows you to track down Alexandria’s historical markers
If you ever wanted a “sign” to encourage you to learn more about the history of the D.C. region, here it is.
In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax takes a journey to Alexandria, Virginia, to track down historic pieces of the past.
With just a couple taps on your smartphone, you can access every single historical place marked by a plaque, poster or bulletin — you name it — still standing in the city of Alexandria.
It’s called the “sign finder.”
The online map uses ArcGIS technology to pinpoint the exact location of every sign documenting an interesting event, person, place or phenomenon in the city.
As Matt found out, there are more markers than you could possibly imagine in Alexandria’s historic city limits, each with its own fascinating historical backstory.
Whether you live in the D.C. region, are just visiting Alexandria, or simply feel like a fun historical scavenger hunt, this tool makes learning fun! Access the Alexandria Historical Sign Finder on the city’s website.
Courtesy of WTOP, February 25, 2025
Did you know this obscure monument in Alexandria could have ties to the Freemasons?
It’s an out-of-sight marker in Alexandria, Virginia, that seems like an ordinary historic monument on the surface — but could have connections to the Freemasons, the world’s largest secret society.
In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax heads to King Street, just outside of historic Old Town Alexandria, to explore the mysterious story behind the city’s little-known War Memorial.
Originally dedicated in 1940 to those from the City of Alexandria who lost their lives in World War I, the War Memorial, also known as the “Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial,” stands today as a tribute to all Alexandrians who have lost their lives across all American conflicts.
In fact, its most recent addition, a plaque commemorating those from Alexandria who lost their lives in Vietnam, was just added in June of this year.
It’s a spot you might drive by and never notice, because it’s partially obscured from the road behind trees and brush. It also sits in the shadow of Alexandria’s Union Station, a lesser-known Amtrak stop before D.C.’s Union Station.
But the real twist in this monument’s story lies in its construction — which happened during a moment in time when another giant building was being erected just across the street: Alexandria’s Masonic Temple.
Come along with Matt and Alexandria historian Dan Lee on an adventure that invokes urban legend and mystery.
Courtesy of WTOP, August 15, 2024
Fascinating history lesson about statehood, war and … water pipes?
Turns out going through the literal gutters of time can reveal pieces of the past you never knew existed.
In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax heads to Old Town Alexandria, where he learned the most fascinating history lesson in the most ordinary place.
Come along with Matt (and a familiar Alexandria historian) to explore the tale of Old Town’s downspouts: two identical drainpipes attached to homes right across the street from each other in historic Alexandria.
Both gutters were built in the same factory in the mid-1800s. So why is one branded with a “Made in D.C.” label and the other shows it was “Manufactured in Virginia?”
The answer is a little complicated, but involves Alexandria going from being a part of Virginia, to being handed over to D.C., to being welcomed back to the Commonwealth just before the U.S. Civil War.
Watch Matt’s video to see these relics, which still function as gutters today, and learn more about the series of events that led to Old Town residents waking up one morning to find out … they were Virginians once again!
Courtesy of WTOP, July 25, 2024
How Old Town Alexandria is preserving its original DC border
The City of Alexandria may have just celebrated its 275th birthday, but did you know there was a time when it used to be a part of D.C.?
In today’s episode of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax heads to the site of one of the first ever federal monuments in Virginia — an old marker lost to time, the Old Town Boundary Stone.
More specifically, this stone, known as the Southwest 3 Boundary Stone on King Street, was laid down in 1791, according to Alexandria historian Dan Lee, who joined Matt on his latest adventure.
Back in the day, passing this stone meant you were officially leaving Virginia and heading into D.C. Looking at the location in 2024, it’s hard to believe the area it’s in — and much of what is now Old Town — used to be considered the District.
Come along with Matt to explore the backstory behind this boundary stone, and the 35 others like it that are still preserved around the D.C. region.
Courtesy of WTOP, July 23, 2024
Ice Ice Baby: This obscure Alexandria monument celebrates all things frozen
Imagine wanting iced tea and having to fish for it!
It’s an obscure Alexandria monument dedicated to one of the premier luxuries of the 18th and 19th centuries — cold, hard ice!
Alexandria’s Historic Ice Well, located at the corner of North Royal Street in Old Town, is right next to Gadsby’s Tavern. Although it’s technically underground, you can peek inside if you go down a short set of hidden stairs around the corner from the restaurant.
Back in 1792 when the ice well opened, Old Town was a part of D.C., and Gadsby’s was known as the City Hotel — lodgings for high-rollers and famous figures, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Ice was brought in through a secret tunnel that ran underneath the hotel, after blocks of it were cut directly from the Potomac River, and lowered into the well. In the 18th century, ice was considered a rare luxury, reserved for high society — quite different from rummaging through your freezer today!
WTOP’s Matt Kaufax decided to head to Old Town to check out the ice well, and catch up with some familiar friends along the way. Check out the video of his latest adventure.
Courtesy of WTOP, February 8, 2024
Making a fountain out of a cannon: This obscure Old Town Alexandria monument hides in plain sight
In today’s edition of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax kicks off 2024 with a bang at Old Town Alexandria’s Cannon Fountain.
Urban legend says the fountain was fashioned out of a cannon from a warship in the army of British Gen. Edward Braddock, which was left behind after the American Revolution and found by an Alexandria resident … right in their backyard!
Also known as Braddock’s Fountain, Old Town’s Cannon Fountain was initially meant to be a public drinking resource, except it wasn’t just meant for humans.
Check out Matt’s video about this wacky relic, and find out how a public investment turned into quite the public nuisance.
Courtesy of WTOP, January 11, 2024
Come and explore Old Town Alexandria’s most miniature mansion — built purely out of spite
Come and explore Old Town Alexandria’s most miniature mansion — built purely out of spite.
It’s the most miniature mansion in historic Alexandria, Virginia, and its backstory explores the creative and obscure side of a neighborly grudge.
In today’s edition of “Matt About Town,” WTOP’s Matt Kaufax visits the “Spite House” in historic Old Town Alexandria to tell the story of a fed up brickmaker, horse-drawn carriage rides and expensive real estate.
Courtesy of WTOP, December 19, 2023