The Ninth Largest City in the state! Wikipedia says: "Alexander Fulton, a businessman from Washington County, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, received a land grant from Spain in 1785, and the first organized settlement was made at some point in the 1790s. In 1805, Fulton and business partner Thomas Harris Maddox laid out the town plan and named the town in Fulton's honor."

Alexandria is classier than Fulton, so good for everyone. Let's begin.

This is a big one. I haven’t much to say; the images speak for themselves. Let’s start with the bank: it’s nice.

If you’re thinking it was built all at once, look closer.

The original entrance has some Luzi-anna lattice:

The clock pins the building to the 50s, I think.

A 1977 newspaper ad: big modern addition that wasn’t too disrespectful to the original.

Now, the postcard view.

Today: kaboom.

If we swing to the left, we see that the loss of the theater block - whenever that happened - hollowed out commercial activity in the area.

Google street view shows a later perspective, which tells you it was either slated for redevelopment, or the metal sheets rotted and fell.

t’s like a geological study of sediment deposits:

Ah, the old signs abide.

Whenever it says “New York” and it’s not New York, it’s usually a sign of a cut-rate boutique.

The anti-street-life initiative seemed quite successful. And hey, trees! That will bring back shoppers. Trees!

Sometimes the lack of economic activity freezes eras in place - like this classic 30s storefront.

GEM. That’s what they sold.

Another dead retailer remembered by the senior set:

The rise and fall of independent small-to-medium downtown department stores is the most sorrowful story of late 20th century retail.

Of course, a municipal structure. It could only be that, or a bank.

Another fine example of the Rapacious Maw school of rehabbing; the weight suggests the late 60s or early 70s.

We’ll take their word for it:

As much as I love anything from this era, I’d have to say . . . a bit too many columns.

Originally made of light butter:

Original signage? I think so.

Postcard view:

From the satellite:

Finally, one of those testaments that downtown is vibrant, modern, alive! On the way up!

Sure, less rentable space - but more impractical rooms!

Have a look around, and give my regards to Alexandria.