With so many of its buildings and architectural phases still intact, Purcellville's strong visual links clearly show how a typical rural town in America evolved. On the main road from the port of Alexandria west to Winchester, Purcellville's midway location allowed it to grow from a simple drover's tavern to a turnpike stagecoach stop that was complete with hotel, livery, store, and blacksmith and wheelwright shops. The arrival of railroad technology...