Central Nova News

Effective Thursday, June 20, the City of Alexandria will rename three streets currently named for Confederate figures and rededicate a fourth. This decision is part of the City's Confederate Street Renaming initiative, which aims to foster a more inclusive community.

The streets impacted by the renaming and rededication are North Breckinridge Place, North Early Street, South Early Street, and Forrest Street. North Breckinridge Place will be renamed Harriet Jacobs Place, in honor of Harriet Jacobs. North Early Street and South Early Street will be renamed Earley Street, in honor of Charity Earley. And Forrest Street will be renamed Forest Street.

The move to rename these streets comes as the City of Alexandria seeks to reckon with its past and address the legacy of a 1953 ordinance that mandated all streets running North-South in the city be named after Confederate officers.

The Alexandria City Council voted unanimously on Saturday, January 20, to approve the renaming and rededication. This is the first step in a 15-year process to rename and rededicate roadways currently named after Confederate figures.

The Historic Alexandria Research Committee (HARC) compiled a list of streets in Alexandria named for Confederate figures and presented a list of 63 new names for consideration. The City Council Naming Committee and City Council reviewed these names, taking into account feedback from community members. Residents had the opportunity to attend public hearings and provide feedback to the City Council.

Residents living on the affected streets also had a say in the renaming process. The name Charity Earley was suggested by residents to replace the original name, and residents of North Jordan Street, South Jordan Street, and Jordan Court indicated that they preferred the name Thomasina Jordan.

The City of Alexandria is committed to minimizing disruption to residents and businesses during this renaming process. An up-to-date Street Renaming FAQ page has been created to provide information on what residents and businesses must do if they are affected by the changes. City staff will also provide additional information to impacted residents and businesses in advance of the renaming.

To determine whether they will be impacted by the changes, residents can refer to the Confederate Street Renaming Map. Additionally, for those who prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available. They can contact LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960 for assistance.

The City of Alexandria's commitment to renaming these streets reflects its dedication to creating a more inclusive and diverse community. By addressing the legacy of Confederate figures in its street names, the City is taking a significant step toward promoting equality and a shared sense of history among its residents.