Spite House

YOU FOUND IT!!!!

Welcome to the skinniest historic house in all of America, a true architectural marvel that's just 7 feet wide! And believe it or not, someone actually lives in it today!

 

This story takes us all the way back to 1830, in the heart of Alexandria, someone had quite the ingenious idea. You see, there was this pesky alley right next to their property, and it was a magnet for loiterers and hooligans. So, they decided to take matters into their own hands and build a house – but not just any house.

 

What emerged from their brilliant plan was a house that could easily be mistaken for a decorative wall at first glance to “spite” late night drunks.

 

At just 7 feet wide, it's an architectural wonder.

 

But here's the twist: Despite its narrow facade, we’re told this house has a depth that defies expectations. Step inside, and you'll find a cozy interior that's surprisingly roomy, like a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. It's a testament to the cleverness of its time and a quirky slice of American history.

 

So, the next time you stroll past this petite powerhouse on a historic Alexandria street, remember that it wasn't just built to keep loiterers at bay – it's a charming reminder that when it comes to architecture, size isn't everything. Sometimes, it's the small but mighty houses that leave the biggest impression.

 

Now, that’s just one story! The other story (actually my favorite) is that the original owner was married. His wife wanted her mother to come live with them. He wasn’t much a fan of that idea, and he didn’t really like his mother-in-law because she wasn’t very nice, but he wanted his wife to be happy. So he built the mother-in-law this house to spite her.

 

Which is your favorite story?

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