Fairfax, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Ratcliffe-Allison House (Earp’s)

Built 1812

— Old Town Fairfax —

Ratcliffe-Allison House (Earp’s) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 14, 2006

1. Ratcliffe-Allison House (Earp’s) Marker

Inscription. This is the oldest house in the City of Fairfax and the first city-owned building to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places (1973). The oldest section of the house, the eastern portion, was built by Richard Ratcliffe around 1812 to the specifications of the original lot sales in the Town of Providence.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Old Town Fairfax series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 38° 50.754′ N, 77° 18.28′ W. Marker is in Fairfax, Virginia. It is on Main Street (Virginia Route 236) east of University Boulevard, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10386 Main Street, Fairfax VA 22030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Sauls House (a few steps from this marker); Kitty Barrett Pozer (within shouting distance of this marker); Victorian Square Addition (within shouting distance of this marker); Whiteheads Mercantile & Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Draper House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Draper House

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Old Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairfax Herald & Print Shop (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfax.

Also see . . .
1. Ratcliffe-Allison House and Pozer Garden. (Submitted on October 15, 2006.)
2. National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form for Earp's Ordinary.
This house, also known as the Ratcliffe-Logan-Allison House, is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The form was prepared by the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff in December 1972. A statement of the house's historical significance can be found on page 3:

The small brick building referred to as Earp's Ordinary near the Fairfax County court house survives as an important example of early-nineteenth century northern Virginia vernacular architecture, and is a familiar landmark in this historic county seat. For many years the structure was thought to date from the mid eighteenth century and to have been built and operated as an ordinary by the Earp family who were early settlers in the area. Recent evidence, however, has shown that it was built between 1805 and 1813 on land formerly owned by Richard Ratcliffe. The confusion over its history may stem from the fact that a Caleb Earp did operate a store nearby which was standing prior
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 14, 2006

2. The Ratcliffe-Allison House
to the establishment of the town. This building probably was owned by Ratcliffe as well. An old tavern and store on the site of Earp's store was demolished around 1920, and it was about that time the present early nineteenth century brick house nearby seems to have inherited the history and legend of Caleb Earp's building.

(Submitted on January 10, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Additional keywords. Earp's Ordinary

Ratcliffe-Allison House image. Click for full size.

March 15, 2008

3. Ratcliffe-Allison House

Photographed by Kevin W., June 7, 2008

4. Ratcliffe-Allison House (Earp’s) Marker

Temporary signage at the house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 27, 2024

5. Temporary signage at the house

Ratcfliffe-Allison-Pozer House
c. 1807, 1824, and 1927
The Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House interprets over two hundred years of its residents' lives, and the changes along Main Street Fairfax.
Notable Owners
* Richard Ratcliffe, founder of the Town of Providence (1805) and original owner of lot #10. (Star marks location on map below)
* Henry Logan, a local shoemaker, built the first portion of the house c. 1807 on the eastern section of lot #10.
* The Allison Family: Brothers Gordon and Robert, local merchants and tavern keepers, expanded this brick home to the east in 1824. Gordon's second wife, Nancy Allison, lived in the house until her death in 1872.
* Kitty Pozer and her husband, Charles Pozer, acquired the brick home and added the rear frame section in 1927. The house was saved from demolition in 1923 by Kitty's mother, noted social reformer Dr. Kate Waller Barrett.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,805 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on March 15, 2008. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on March 15, 2008. 4. submitted on June 8, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on July 27, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.