Elisha Leake, a Goochland County miller, built the large brick dwelling of Woodlawn in the last quarter of the 18th century after his service in the Revolutionary War. In 1806 the property was leased to John Trevillian who, because of its convenient location on Three Chopt Road between Richmond and Charlottesville, opened a tavern here. Woodlawn was sold in 1834 to Thomas Taylor, who was later a Mexican War hero and is remembered for planting the American flag on Chapultepec Castle. The spacious old Woodlawn house is distinguished by its Flemish-bond brickwork, stuccoed jack arches, delicate dentil cornices, and unaltered interior. Particularly interesting are the unusual two-story pent closets between the chimneys, one of which contains a secret stair.