The history of “Rosemont” begins in 1908, although the land itself has a longer history. 

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After the Civil War, an 80-acre parcel located approximately where much of south Rosemont lies today became known as “Spring Park” and was farmed by Philip Rotchford; after his death in 1887, it was acquired by the Alexandria Real Estate Investment, Trust and Title Company, along with neighboring property. In 1891, all the property was transferred to the newly formed Spring Park Improvement Company, which in 1893 publicized a proposal to develop the area as a new suburb of Alexandria.

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In 1896, the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon Electric Railway began service through the area, described by a contemporary account as being part of “a beautifully undulating and fertile stretch of country, which suburban improvement is invading and gradually dotting with handsome residences.” But no development actually occurred, and it appears during this time the property may have been leased to and farmed by Jonathan Pierpoint of Alexandria.  

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In 1908, the Spring Park and neighboring property was acquired by the Alexandria Realty Company and then in short order the Rosemont Development Company, which renamed the property after a Philadelphia suburb (to which at least some of the financial backers had ties). Rosemont developed rapidly in the early decades of the 20th century.

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Rosemont was planned as a “streetcar suburb.” Although the streetcar service ended in 1932, its legacy is the wide median on Commonwealth Avenue, and the southwest corner of Rosemont since 1992 has been a nationally-registered historic district in recognition of its well-preserved identity as an early 20th century neighborhood.