The Duke Street Tanyard (Historical Marker)

Here follows the inscription written on this roadside historical marker:

The Duke Street Tanyard
Alexandria Heritage Trail

Peter Wise, a city councilman and tanner, established the Duke Street Tanyard in 1797. The Business was situated near the stone bridge on the east bank of Hooff's Run by West End Village. The tannery's ownership and name changed many times; Quakers operated the large tannery from 1812 until it was destroyed by fire in 1853.

West End, Alexandria's first suburb, was a processing center for cattle, which were brought here for slaughter and butchering. The hides were then taken to the tannery to be processed into leather by soaking them in solutions of lime, tree bark, and animal dung. The tanned hides were curried by oiling, scrapping, and pounding and then made into saddles, harness and boots.

"The Tannery was located in what was once called Spring Gardens Farm just "beyond the [town's] Corporation limits and... of course, exempt from taxation" along a major commercial artery, Little River Turnpike." — Alexandria Gazette, 1844.

Archaeological excavations were conducted here in 2000, prior to construction. It was discovered that the remains of the tanyard were destroyed during the 20th century. Most of the original soil had been removed, and later, fill soils were brought in to level the property. However, in the area where a brick house once stood, archaeologists discovered artifacts dating to the nineteenth century — small reminders of the families of the tanners that once lived on this site.

Erected by The Marriott Corporation in cooperation with Alexandria Museum Office of Historic Alexandria.


A Civil War view from the Orange & Alexandria roundhouse northwest toward West End, where the tannery was located. The large white building with chimneys, once occupied by slave dealers, was situated on Duke Street, called Little River Turnpike in West End.
Close-up of photo on marker from National Archives

Overhead view of a tannery with (left to right) washing station on a river, vats for soaking in lime, and tanning vats in a yard. The Duke Street Tanyard was larger and included four acres and more than 100 vats.
Close-up of image on marker from Diderot Pictorial Encyclopedia, Dover, 1993

The Marriott Residence Inn stands today on the site of the West End Tanyard.