Fall Hill

Fall Hill Plantation is located near the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Thornton family has resided there since the early 18th century, though the current house was built in 1790 for Francis Thornton V. The property is part of an 8,000-acre land patent granted to Francis Thornton I around 1720.

The mansion is a Georgian-style two-story home with a central hall, hipped roof, and Flemish bond brickwork. It underwent remodeling in the 1830s, replacing doors and windows, leaving only the original walls, roof, and chimneys intact. Doric columns were added to porches in the 19th century, and a larger porch was later removed. Greek Revival mantels were installed but have since been removed to reveal original fireplaces.

The grounds feature old trees, gravel walks, and a hillside view of Fredericksburg. Historically, Francis Thornton III built Fall Hill to escape the heat of The Falls plantation. He married into a family connected to George Washington and held prominent roles. The estate remained in the Thornton family for over 280 years, with Dr. John Taylor acquiring it in 1845 after renovations.

During the Civil War, Fall Hill was a strategic point with fortifications built by General Robert E. Lee's troops. Phoebe Hearst purchased the property in 1908 as a gift to Murray Taylor. The last Thornton family member, Butler Franklin, died in 2003. In 2000, Barry and Maureen Kefauver bought Fall Hill, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.