Former Dixie Pig Owner Passes Away

Yesterday, I was sad to learn that Addie Arthur had passed away last week.  Addie was the former owner of The Dixie Pig Restaurant - a Route 1 institution for a long time formerly located at the corner of Beacon Hill Road and Route 1.  She was 73 years-old.

Ms. Arthur actually became my constituent in redistricting.  She lived over in Hayfield Farms.  She wasn't home when I knocked her door so we never got to meet which is too bad. 

Here's the obituary from the Washington Post.

On Thursday, March 22, 2012 of Alexandria, VA, at the age of 73, Adelaide joined our Father in Heaven. Addie graduated from St. Mary's Academy, in Alexandria, and went on to become a successful entrepreneur who owned and operated many business; the most proud and famous of which was the Alexandria Dixie Pig. People from all across the country have raved about the Dixie Pig, including weatherman Willard Scott. The restaurant was also featured on an episode of CSI. Addie volunteered her time for St. Lawrence Catholic Church, the Franconia Moose Lodge, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Mended Hearts, and the VA Chamber of Commerce, to name a few. She also travelled the world, including Israel, Spain, Italy, Mexico, many Caribbean islands, Guam, and Africa. She was a true adventurist having traveled by hot air balloon, antique train, bi-plane, air-glider, gondola, cog train, and even camel. Addie was the beloved wife of the late Robert Arthur Sr. "Sid"; mother of Debbie Daugherty (Jim), Robert Arthur Jr. (Gerry) and Gary Arthur (Cheryl); niece of Catherine Delores Kane; dear friend of Georgia Meadows; also survived by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Relatives and friends may call at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Dr. Alexandria, VA on Monday, March 26 and Tuesday, March 27, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 6222 Franconia Rd. Alexandria, VA on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Mt. Comfort Cemetery.

People often ask me why I call this blog The Dixie Pig.  Before my grandmother died in 1999, we would go out to eat.  She couldn't hear very well and she had a couple rules when we went out.

1. She had to be able to smoke.
2. She didn't want a lot of noise.
3. They had to serve Budweiser.

The Dixie Pig fit that score perfectly.  I'm also pretty sure she liked it beacause it was one of the things that hadn't changed since my grandparents moved to Mount Vernon in 1941. 

In 1996, The Dixie Pig was torn down to make way for a Rite Aid.  One of my favorite articles ever this piece entitled "Lost Highway" from the City Paper describing how a reporter's midnight quest for a BBQ sandwich turned into a long hunt for The Dixie Pig's old sign which he thought was iconic.  It is a great description of Route 1 culture as I remember it as a kid and I featured it in the first article I wrote for this blog.

Ms. Arthur's old restaurant was a Route 1 institution.  She will be missed.