Dover, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dover, Virginia
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 Dover, Virginia
Location in Northern Virginia
Dover, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Dover, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Virginia |
| County |  Loudoun |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Dover is a small, unnamed area in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. It's not a town with a mayor or official government. Instead, it's a place known by its name on maps. Dover is located east of Middleburg. You can find it where U.S. Route 50 meets Champe Ford Road and Cobb House Road. The Little River also starts to follow Route 50 here.
Even though Dover is just a few houses, it has a long history. It appeared on old state and national maps. This is likely because two important old roads, the Little River Turnpike and the Aldie-Ashby's Gap Turnpike, ended near this spot.
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Dover's Rich History
Dover has many interesting stories from the past. You can find four historical markers here. These markers tell about important events and people.
Revolutionary War Hero: John Champe
One marker honors John Champe, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. Champe was chosen by George Washington, the first U.S. President. Washington wanted Champe to capture Benedict Arnold. Arnold was a general who betrayed the American side and joined the British. Champe almost succeeded, but Arnold changed his plans at the last minute.
Champe's house was once located where the Little River crosses. Today, an obelisk (a tall, thin monument) stands there. It is called the Champe Ford Memorial. This monument remembers John Champe's bravery.
Civil War Markers and Battles
Three other markers at Dover are about the American Civil War. One of them mentions the Battle of Aldie. This battle was an important event in the war.
Stoke: A Famous House
Another special place in Dover is a large house called Stoke. This house was very well-known. Even Teddy Roosevelt, a former U.S. President, visited Stoke often as a guest.
Dover Mill: A Business from the Past
The original main business in Dover was the Dover Mill. It was built in 1810. The Hixson family started this mill. It was a very successful business before the Civil War. However, the mill was on the "front lines" during the war. This meant it was in the middle of many battles. Because of this, the mill was badly damaged and never fully recovered. The Dover Mill was torn down in 1923. Its stones were used to build the Middleburg Bank.
The mill was also a famous landmark. People used it to find their way to a nearby village called Landmark.
Dover Academy: A Girls' School
In the mid-1800s, Dover was home to Dover Academy. This was a school especially for girls. Later, the McCormick family bought the house. This family is related to the famous McCormick Spice Company. Today, a descendant of the McCormick family, Jamie McCormick, still owns the house.
Modern Dover: What's There Now?
Dover today still has some old and new buildings.
Pheasant's Eye and Other Homes
The Hixson family, who owned the mill, built their main home called Pheasant's Eye in the 1820s. There are a few other old houses in the area. You can also find Dover Nursery and a new farmhouse near the main intersection. Even though it's called an "intersection," there isn't even a stoplight there.
Dover on TV
Dover has even appeared on national television! In an episode of the TV show The Amazing Race, contestants drove past "629" (Champe Ford Road) in the dark. They were on their way to Dulles Airport. This was probably the only time Dover has been seen by a large TV audience.
Famous Neighbors
Some well-known people live near Dover. These include Michael Dell, who started Dell computers. Also, Virginia Warner, the daughter of former Senator John Warner, lives nearby. Another famous resident is Jacqueline Mars, a billionaire from Mars Candy.
