The community of West Alexander was named after Martha Alexander Humphrey, wife of the founder, Robert Humphrey, a revolutionary soldier. On February 27, 1786, the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania granted him a patent to a tract of land called, “Doublet.” Old deeds show that the town was known by several names—Alexander, Alexandria, and West Alexandria before it finally became West Alexander. In records of public documents referring to the construction of the National Pike, the town is referred to as West Alexandria, or more frequently Alexandria. There is no plan of the original plot on record; but on April 30, 1873, Thomas McCleary made a survey of the town as it existed at that time, for its incorporation as a borough. This only shows the property lines and names of the owners; and is of little historical value as no lot numbers are given. Old records show that the first lot was sold on June 18, 1796, to John McMillen Jr., Lot No. 14 in the town of Alexander,” for $8.50.
Several taverns existed in West Alexander in it's early years, although not much is known about them. They include the LaFayette Inn, the Wheeling House and the American Eagle tavern.
For nearly three quarters of a century, West Alexander was the Mecca or Gretna Green for all runaway couples, youthful and otherwise, form Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and all points west. Before October 1, 1885, Pennsylvania did not have a marriage license law, and so couples from states that did have such a law, fled to West Alexander. Records show a total of 5,190 weddings during the 74 years of West Alexander’s marriage market from October 6, 1811, to October 1, 1885; but this does not include ceremonies performed by local clergymen. Their records are not available, and may not have been preserved.
After grabbing the cache, take a drive through this historic town and try to imagine what it might have been like 200 years ago.