Franconia (Historic Marker)

Here follows the inscription written on the roadside marker:

“Frankhonia Farm” was situated on 191 acres purchased in 1859 by Alexandria merchant and businessman William Fowle from Joseph Broders of Oak Grove Farm. His son, Robert Rollins Fowle, sold 18 acres to the Alexandria & Fredericksburg Railway Company in 1871 for a station, which was named after the farm. The station served as the Garfield Post Office from 1881 to 1890 and again from 1898 to 1907. Initially situated south of Franconia Road near the present day Fleet Drive, the station was relocated after a fire in 1903 to the north side of Franconia Road. Regular service at Franconia Station was discontinued c. 1953.

Marker erected 2000 by Fairfax County History Commission.


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Here follows an excerpt from Donald Hakenson's "This Forgotten Land" tour guide:

Franconia Road was first called "Rolling Road," and was known as the "Old Fairfax Road" during the War Between the States. On July 16, 1861, Brigadier General Samuel Heintzelman's Third Division departed Alexandria and used the Old Fairfax Road while marching to Manassas.

"Frankhonia Farm" was situated on 191 acres purchased in 1859 by an Alexandria merchant William Fowle from Joseph Broders of Oak Grove farm. His son, Lieutenant Robert Rollins Fowle, a Confederate veteran sold eighteen acres to the Alexandria and Fredericksburg Railway Company in 1871 for a station that was named after his farm. The name "Franconia," has been used for the road ever since.