The road bed here follows the south branch of the Dumfries Road, in use before 1740, which
crossed Cedar Run and Tacquet's Ford. The route connected the Port of Dumfries with Red
Store, now known as Warrenton, and the interior settlements beyond. Dower House was built
about 1755 on Effingham Plantation. The main house, built later by Col. William Alexander, for
whom the city of Alexandria is
named stands a short distance to the south.
Erected 1985