This section of the old Boston Post Road, from Washington Street to Southbridge Road, was probably named for General George Washington, who traveled this way en route to Boston to take command of the American troops in 1775. He paused at the Solomon Keyes home at the intersection of Washington and East Streets to confer with Captain Putnam about supplying Minutemen from this area. Many local men marched to Boston the day after the Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775. Boston Post Road was the original main thoroughfare through Warren. It took its name from its purpose as the route of the Colonial post service from New York to Boston, established in 1673. Postmaster Benjamin Franklin ordered mileposts to be set out along the route, marking the mileage to Boston and setting mail rates according to distance. Some of these markers still stand. Other sections of this road ran through Comins Pond to Brimfield Road and up Bay Path Road, past Devil's Elbow and on to Reed Street.