One of Union's largest houses, this two-story, hip-roofed brick structure on a limestone foundation grew to its present dimensions in several stages. It displays a basic Greek Revival form embellished with Italianate details, notably the deep brackets supporting overhanging eaves. Bulbous protuberances serve in lieu of capitals on the octagonal, one-story front porch columns. To the rear, easily seen from Green Hill Road, is a clapboarded rear wing with a massive limestone chimney.
Echols, who acquired the house soon after it was built, organized the Monroe Guards and rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Confederate army. His son, Edward Echols, who became lieutenant governor of Virginia, was the major subscriber to Union's Confederate Monument (see entry above), which he promoted in part to honor his father.