[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2), all land.

Some time in the years before 1785 the first mention of a religious group called Hartslog Presbyterian Congregation was formed.

A log worship house, Old Hartslog Church, stood upon the hill one mile (1.6 km) north of the present site of the town of Alexandria, where a burial ground was later made.

In the late 18th century the primary transportation to and from Alexandria was the Juniata River, suitable only during summer and when the water depth permitted.

In 1833 the Juniata Division of the Pennsylvania Canal was opened, the promise of better transportation started a mini housing boom in Alexandria.

The day-long event recognizes the early days of the small borough, when, in 1744, a licensed Indian trader named John Hart used a large hollowed-out log to feed and salt his horses while he conducted his trading.

Early settlers used this log as a landmark to describe the location of their claims and referred to this area as Hartslog Settlement.