History of Alexandria

The founder of Alexandria came in a covered wagon from Frederick County, Maryland with his family. Alexander Devilbiss purchased three hundred acres of land in St. Albans Township and built a mill in 1830. He platted out the village and created a business center whereby the community's needs could be better served. He even platted out the Old Cemetery at Alexandria where two of his nephews are buried. The town continued to grow with churches, including some that gave shelter to the anti-slavery movement, a hotel called the "Old Tavern" whose Bar Room provided a meeting place for arbitration and an occasional lawsuit, a post office that collected twenty-five cents from the recipient of the letter, a dry goods store selling flour for four dollars a barrel, a bank that survived while thirty-nine others in the state failed, and even a tobacco factory.

The village has survived three bank robberies, numerous fires and maintained its rural character. According to the history of the area as recorded in Alexandria and St. Albans Township, Licking County, Ohio, "the Alexandria Centennial celebration of 1930 inspired a maturity of cooperative effort and a degree of community pride that made it the outstanding achievement in the history of the village and township."

Alexandria is also known as the home of the first Community Council. This council was created in the fall of 1830 to promote the community welfare. The establishment of the Alexandria Library is just one of the accomplishments of this group. Many of today's businesses and residents reflect the spirit of the founders by continuing with the preservation of the township's and village's rural flavor.
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There are many historical and pre-historical sites throughout the township and village including Indian mounds, an Indian trail known as Buffalo Trail, houses, churches, and stores. Many historical and pre-historical artifacts are on display at the Alexandria Museum, located on West Main Street in Alexandria.