Ellerslie (Colonial Heights, Virginia)

Ellerslie is a historic Italian Villa style home located in Colonial Heights, Virginia, originally built in the 1830s by tobacco magnate David Dunlop. The estate features a striking three-story tower and a full-width front porch, set on a 200-acre tract along Swift Creek. It played a significant role during the Civil War, serving as a Confederate defense point and the headquarters for General P.G.T. Beauregard. After suffering damage from cannon fire, the house underwent extensive remodeling in 1910, transforming its style while retaining its original structure. Ellerslie remained in the Dunlop family for generations and was later operated as a dairy farm, making it a notable landmark in the area.