This brief history of Franconia is from the sign pictured above. It's posted by the Fairfax County History Commission in front of the Franconia Post Office on Franconia Road in Fairfax County VA.

"'Frankhonia Farm' was situated on 191 acres purchased in 1859 by Alexandria merchant and businessman William Fowle from John 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 Garfield Post Office from 1881 to 1890 and again from 1898 to 1907. Initially situated south of Franconia Road near 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 circa 1953."