In 1927, before establishing Virginia’s oldest distillery, A. Smith Bowman purchased the 7,200-acre Sunset Hills farm in Fairfax County with one objective—to open up a dairy and granary. Shortly after bringing the idea to life, his fields became so abundant that he needed a use for the excess grain. This one defining moment changed the entire course of the A. Smith Bowman legacy and ultimately led to the best whiskey in the world.
Start your visit with a ride on the trolley, and get an overview of all Fredericksburg has to offer. Then you will have a better idea of where you want to eat, shop, and explore. During your 75-minute guided tour of the downtown Historic District and the Fredericksburg Battlefield, you will experience the past, present, and future of a city so rich in history and teeming with monuments, markers, and attractions. Enjoy the many unique shops and restaurants still operating in buildings hundreds of years old!
The building that became Sammy T’s was constructed in 1804 and was thereafter purchased by Anthony Buck who operated “Buck’s Auction Room.” According to an October 1805 Virginia Herald article, “Buck was an auctioneer who handled real estate and probably slaves” here. After the Civil War it became home to the Fredericksburg Post Office until 1921 at which time it became an Amoco Service and fueling Station known as Horton’s Auto Supply. In the early 1930’s, Dugans restaurant was established in this building and operated until the late 1970s. Dugans became a popular downtown “watering hole” and was frequented by the current owners as well as their ancestors.
Once you're in the heart of downtown, there are lots of bars and restaurants within walking distance of each other.