Alexandria Restaurant Guide

There are few drives more beautiful than the one down the George Washington Parkway to Cedar Knoll Inn Restaurant. The historic Inn, built in the late 1800's, is located just a few miles south of Old Town Alexandria and a mile from George Washington's Mount Vernon estate and sits atop a hill overlooking the Potomac River. The Cedar Knoll Inn is the perfect place for a romantic dinner for two, an elegant wedding ceremony and/or reception and a host of other special occasions. On a gorgeous and tranquil day you may want to dine outside on the terrace or enjoy the view of the Potomac from inside.

The original farmhouse that is Cedar Knoll Inn today was constructed in the late 1800's as a tenant farm house for the 115.34 acre plantation called "Marsland on the Potomac". The property included the stately main house now known as the "Tower House" adjoining Cedar Knoll on the south), a 2-story boat house, barn and other out buildings.

In 1909 Dr. Bliss was playing cards upstairs in the boat house and lost the property in a poker game. He then moved across the river to Maryland and built a new home that is a close replica of the "Tower House".

During World War I, the "Tower House" was used as a convalescent hospital for troops returning from the front.

When Gen. Drain owned the property, Wallance Beavers occupied the tenant farm house (Cedar Knoll) which had only 3 small bedrooms at that time, with his wife and 9 children. They had no electricity and carried their water from out by the barn. In 1930 they moved into the "Tower House" to oversee the property of Gen. Drain. Farm animals and crops were raised on the property, and transportation was by train from the nearby Hunter Station. The Potomac River was crystal clear and people fished and swam in its cool waters.