1 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
1006 Cameron St.
2 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
3 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
4 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
5 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
7 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
8 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
9 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
10 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
11 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
12 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
13 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
14 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
15 of 15
Credit: Lyssa Seward, TTR Sotheby's International Realty
The site of a speakeasy and the home to a famous athlete and doctor, a unique property at 1006 Cameron St. is on the market in the Parker-Gray neighborhood.
1006 Cameron St. was built during Alexandria's boom period in the early 1900s with Victorian design. Original features and fixtures remain intact, including handsome front porch with original lighting and shutters. Another fun exterior feature: a light above the gable, which still remains, which served as a signal for the speakeasy in the attic that operated in the 1920s during Prohibition.
Today, the home features a new kitchen, formal dining room with original pocket doors and design elements, a butler's pantry and large windows. Four upstairs bedrooms have original hardwood floors and custom original millwork. The attic — the former speakeasy space — features a full wet bar with ice maker in an interesting loft space. The space also features the original oak gun cabinet built by an historically significant African American physician and former owner, which still bears his initials.
The builder of that cabinet was none other than Charles Freemont “Pruner” West. A natural athlete, Pruner was scouted by the Pittsburg 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.
Pruner played football for Washington & Jefferson College, where 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 looking for a black man into believing, “We didn’t bring him with us this time!”
West was also chosen to compete in track-and-field events in the 1924 Olympics in Paris, but French 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 and graduated in 1928. He set up his practice in the home at 1006 Cameron St. He was known for his specialized care for patients who had tuberculosis. He was the first doctor to operate an x-ray machine in Alexandria.
Later, the property was owned, in part, by astronaut Thomas Patten Stafford. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, Stafford commissioned in the United States Air Force and became a test pilot. He was selected to become an astronaut in 1962, and flew aboard Gemini 6A and Gemini 9. In 1969, Stafford was the Commander of Apollo X.
For more information on this property, contact Lyssa Seward at TTR Sotheby's International Realty, 703-298-0562 or lseward@ttrsir.com.
The home is designated both residential and commercial, offering a unique opportunity for a home or business.
The property is offered at $1,595,000.
