Located in northwest Fauquier County, just south of lnterstate 66, Markhan [†] is nestled in a hollow between Red Oak, Hardscrabble, and Naked mountains. The historic district boundaries are drawn to include resources along Route 688 west to the village of Farrowsville and north to incorporate resources along Goose Creek and along the north side of US Route 55. Farrowsville and Markham have been combined as one district because the boundaries between the two communities are almost indistinguishable. Farrowsville is the older community, as it is located directly at the intersection of Route 688 (Leeds Manor Road) and Goose Creek. When the Manassas Gap Railroad was completed through the area in 1852 the station was located at Markham as the grade at Farrowsville was too steep to stop and start rail traffic. The name Markham was chosen by Edward C. Marshall, the president of the new railroad, in honor of his great-grandmother's family.
† Adapted from: Maral S. Kalbian/Architectural Historian and Margaret T. Peters/Research Historian, Markham Historic District, 2005, nomination document, National Register of Historic Places, Washington, D.C.
Neighborhoods