The width and direction of the streets to be laid off in the area surrounding the Town was regulated by an Act of 1785,[38] ] but this did not extend the actual town limits. The area affected was described as:
"Beginning at Great Hunting Creek and running parallel with Fairfax street to four mile run or creek so as to intersect King street when extended one mile west of the courthouse, thence eastwardly down the said creek or run to its confluence with the Potomac river, thence southwardly down the said river to the mouth of Great Hunting Creek...."
In the next year, however, the Legislature provided
"That the limits of the town of Alexandria shall extend to and include as well the lots formerly composing the said town, as those adjoining thereto which have been and are improved."[39] ]
The town was still growing, and ten years later the General Assembly again extended its legal limits.
"Whereas several additions of lots contiguous to the town of Alexandria have been laid off by the proprietors of the land in lots of half an acre each extending to the north that range of lots upon the north side of a street called Montgomery; upon the south, to the line of the District of Columbia [this line had been surveyed but Alexandria had not yet been incorporated in the District] upon the west, to a range of lots upon the west side of West street, and upon the east to the river Patowmac; that many of the lots in those additions have already been built upon, and many more will so be improved; and whereas it has been represented to the General Assembly that the inhabitants residing on said lots are not subject to the regulations made and established for the orderly government of the town and for the preservation of the health of the inhabitants, by the prevention and removal of nuisances, upon which their property and well being does very much depend:
"1. Be it Therefore Enacted: That each and every lot or part of a lot within the aforesaid limits, on which at this time is built a dwelling house of at least 16 feet square, or equal thereto in size, with a brick or stone chimney and that each and every lot within said limits which shall hereafter be so built upon, shall be incorporated with the said town of Alexandria and considered as part thereof."[40] ]
The following year this Act was amended[41] ] to include unimproved lots since their development was being hindered by the exclusion. These were the boundaries of the Town when it became part of the District of Columbia. They remained unchanged for nearly half a century thereafter. The charter for the town adopted by the Congress on February 25, 1804,[42] ] specified that the limits should be those prescribed by the Acts of Virginia. The jurisdiction of the town officials, however, was extended to the
"house lately built in the vicinity of the town for the accommodation of the poor and others"
and over the ten acres of ground surrounding the poor house. This is at what is now Monroe Street and Jefferson Davis Highway. Although the Charter was amended several times while Alexandria was in the District, no changes were made in the Town boundaries.