REAL ESTATE FOR SALE: Alexandria House of History on Cameron Street THE MANY LIVES AT THE GRAND PARKER-GRAY PROPERTY: SPEAKEASY, HOME TO THE TRAILBLAZING “PRUNER” WEST AND NASA ASTRONAUT TOM STAFFORD BY KELLY MCCARTHY From 1899 to 1909 Alexandria exploded in size and stature, tripling its wealth through industries as diverse as making glass and fertilizer, brewing beer and tanning leather. As a response to this newfound wealth, substantial “villas” were built and in 1905, one of those gracious new homes was erected at 1006 Cameron Street. It was completed just as the handsome new Union Station railway building was opened at the west end of King Street. As was common then, the servants did not use the grand staircase, instead moving through the building through narrow backstairs.
Lingering Lights of the 1920s Speakeasy At some point during the 1920s the servants’ staircase was closed and their attic quarters were reassigned as a speakeasy. A light above the gable, which still remains, is obviously not a source of illumination – but a signal to people waiting outside that the coast was clear, and they could come on in! 1006 Cameron Street is located in the Parker-Gray district, so named for the African-American school constructed nearby in 1920. The area was the heart of the then segregated Black community and one very famous Black resident became a familiar and comforting presence in this neighborhood.
The Trailblazing “Pruner” West Charles Freemont “Pruner” West was born in 1899 in Washington, Pennsylvania. He picked up his nickname because his father owned a drug store and young Charles had problems pronouncing “Peruna” – a cough syrup stocked in the store. A natural athlete, Pruner was scouted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and his family told the tale that, while at high school, he could outrun their horse and once wrestled a bull to the ground. But his biggest claim to fame came when he was a student at Washington & JefferSEPTEMBER 2020
Photo: Seward Realty Group
Photo: Wikipedia
Astronaut Thomas Patten Stafford
son College where he played football for the school. He became their starting quarterback and in 1922 led the team out to play in the Rose Bowl, the only Black man on the team. His life was threatened when a lynch mob met the school bus, but his complexion was relatively fair and he fooled the mob. West was also chosen to compete in track-and-field events in the 1924 Olympics held in Paris, France. He was a formidable track man who threw the javelin, competed in broad jump and ran the 100-yard dash and the 440. W&J paid for his travel and expenses to France. While in Paris, he qualified to compete with the team, but France officials refused to admit him. When Charles returned to the United States, he was offered a spot on a professional football team, the Akron Pros. He chose to attend medical school instead at Howard University. With little or no money, he worked his way through school by coaching Howard’s football team. He graduated from Howard University Medical School in 1928.
Football Star and Athlete Becomes Pioneering Alexandria Doctor Dr. Charles F. West moved to Alexandria and set up his practice – the first of its kind – at 1006 Cameron Street. He was known for his specialized care for patients who had tuberculosis, which was common at the time. Due
1006 Cameron Street is a Grand Dame in Alexandria’s real estate inventory.
to the care of these patients and his research of the disease, Dr. West was the first doctor to own and operate an X-ray machine in Alexandria. When the current owners bought the property, they removed the linoleum that lined the practice office floor
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that Dr. West used to perform medical services for his patients in Alexandria. The wooden bench in the hall is presumably where his patients waited for attention. In the attic bar area, Dr. West’s gun cabinet is adorned with his initials and would
Photo: Washington & Jefferson College Archives-
Dr. Charles Freemont “Pruner” West
have held his hunting rifle and shotgun as he was keen and celebrated hunter. Dr. Charles Fremont West served the community for 50 years until his death in 1979.
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