Created on 2024-11-13

This is a historic black and white photograph showing a view of the Commissary Department in Alexandria. The image appears to be taken from an elevated position, showcasing several buildings and structures in the foreground with a clear view of more buildings, open spaces, and a more populated area in the distance. In the immediate foreground, there are railroad tracks with some rail cars stationed on them. There are buildings with gabled roofs beside the tracks, and scattered objects and possibly people around, though it's hard to make out specific details. The architecture is simple and functional, characteristic of industrial or military utility. The middle of the image features more buildings, some of which are larger and may have housed the commissary operations. In the background, the area becomes more densely populated with various buildings, hinting at a town or residential area. There are open fields and patches of trees scattered throughout the scene, and the terrain appears mostly flat with slight elevation changes farther in the distance. At the bottom of the photo is a caption that reads "No. 119.—COMMISSARY DEPARTMENT, ALEXANDRIA, Slave Pen, Fort Ellsworth, Seminary Hospital, Camps, &c., in distance." This notation provides context to the location and also references significant historical landmarks such as a slave pen and Fort Ellsworth, indicating that the photo was taken during a period when slavery was present in the United States, likely around the time of the Civil War. The reference to a Seminary Hospital and camps suggests that this area had military significance.

Created on 2024-11-14

The image appears to be a black and white photograph depicting a panoramic view of the Commissary Department in Alexandria. The image shows a town landscape with various buildings, trains, and structures in the foreground. In the distance, there are several landmarks mentioned, including the Slave Pen, Fort Ellsworth, and Seminary Hospital. The overall scene suggests a bustling, industrial area during what appears to be an earlier historical period based on the style of the buildings and transportation methods visible.