515 North Washington Street

The historic building at 515 North Washington Street in Alexandria, Virginia, has a rich and varied history, having served as a cotton mill, prison, factory, and apartments since its construction in 1848. Originally built by the Mount Vernon Manufacturing Company, it struggled as a cotton mill before being repurposed during the Civil War as the Washington Street Military Prison, notorious for the harsh treatment of prisoners under warden Rufus Dudley Pettit. After the war, it transitioned through various uses, including a bottling plant and residential apartments, before being renovated into office space and later converted into The Mill, a modern apartment complex. A unique feature of the building is a mannequin named Oscar, perched in the cupola, which has become a local legend. The building is a contributing property to the Alexandria Historic District, making it a fascinating site for tourists and researchers alike.