“Gateway to the Washington region.” That’s how Rosslyn is often described. Rosslyn stands as a vibrant, urbanized area in Northern Virginia. It sits directly across the Potomac River from Georgetown in Washington, D.C.
Rosslyn’s story is one of transformation. During Virginia’s colonial period, a ferry landing connected this shore to Georgetown. A community grew and was named Ross Lynn. This name came from a local farm owned by William and Carolyn Ross.
The 1800s brought significant changes. The Aqueduct Bridge was completed in 1843. It carried the Alexandria Canal. This allowed canal boats to travel from the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Georgetown to Alexandria. Following the Civil War, Rosslyn became known for gambling halls and saloons. It gained a reputation as a lawless community. In the early 20th century, reformers ousted these elements. Electric trolleys inspired real estate development. Captain Crandal Mackey led citizens to raid gambling houses in 1904.
In 1923, the Aqueduct Bridge was replaced. The Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge was built. The Theodore Roosevelt Bridge opened in 1964. It carried Interstate 66 between D.C. and Rosslyn. A development boom followed. High-rise office buildings and hotels reshaped Rosslyn. Major streets were widened for increased traffic. Skywalks were built for pedestrians. However, retail along these skywalks didn’t thrive. Plans are now in place to dismantle some of these skywalks.
Rosslyn played a role in the Watergate scandal. “Deep Throat” passed information to Bob Woodward in an underground parking garage in Rosslyn.
The Metrorail’s Blue Line arrived in 1977. Later, the Orange Line was extended. I-66 was extended through Rosslyn in the early 1980s. These transportation improvements attracted more development.
In 2003, there was an attempt to bring the Montreal Expos to Rosslyn. A stadium site was proposed. It was not successful. The Expos moved to D.C. and became the Washington Nationals.
A gondola lift between Georgetown and Rosslyn has been proposed. Feasibility studies have been underway since 2016.
Today, Rosslyn boasts a dynamic skyline. It has 8.1 million square feet of office space. It also has many housing units. Several of the tallest condominium buildings in the D.C. area are here. 1812 N Moore became the tallest building in the Washington metropolitan area in 2013.
Rosslyn is also a cultural hub. Annual events include film festivals and the Rosslyn Jazz Festival. The Marine Corps War Memorial attracts over one million visitors each year. The Netherlands Carillon offers stunning views and musical performances.
Transportation is a key feature. Rosslyn is a hub for subway and highway systems. Several trails connect Rosslyn to other parts of Virginia and D.C.
Rosslyn has appeared in several movies and TV shows. Its distinctive skyline is easily recognizable. From its early days as a ferry landing to its current status as a modern urban center, Rosslyn continues to evolve. It offers a unique blend of history, culture, and commerce.