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Alexandria, ScotlandAlexandria is a manufacturing town of Dumbartonshire, Scotland, situated on the right bank of the River Leven about three miles north of Dumbarton, on the railway line to Balloch. It owed its origin almost entirely to the cotton printing and bleaching works which used to exist in the area, for which there was an abundant supply of excellent water, and contained one of the largest of the Turkey-red dyeing establishments in the Vale of Leven. The public buildings included (in 1911) a public hall, the mechanics' institute with library and lecture-hall, an institute for men, with library and recreation rooms, a similar institution for women, banks and other important commercial offices. Its population in 1891 was 7796; in 1901, 8007. Alexandria is connected with Bonhill, on the opposite bank of the river, by a bridge which replaced fairly recently one built in 1898. The Smollett family have been closely associated with the district since the time of Sir James Smollett, the novelist's grandfather. The industries of Bonhill centred (in 1911) in the calico printing, dyeing and bleaching which find their headquarters in the valley. Population (1891) 3843; (1901) 3333. Jamestown, about one mile to the north-east of Alexandria, contained (in 1911) some of the largest cotton-printing works in Scotland. Population (1891) 1668; (1901) 2080. (This entry is based on an entry in the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica, some basic changes have been made, but it needs a re-write.)
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