The road bed here follows the south branch of the Dumfries Road, in use before 1740, which crossed Cedar Run at Tacquet’s Ford. This route connected the Port of Dumfries with Red Store, now known as Warrenton, and interior settlements beyond. Dower House was built about 1775 on Effingham Plantation. The main house, built later by Col. William Alexander, great grandson of John Alexander, for whom the city of Alexandria is named, stands a short distance to the south.