The community was named for Alan McCullough,[1] a prominent Virginia architect, but developed by his father.

It is bordered by Baycliff and Cape Henry Collegiate School.

Alan McCullough and his family purchased a piece of land in the early 1920s.

The architect and his family lived in one of only three houses there at the time.

Louisa Venable Kyle was one of the first residents to move to Alanton and lived on Woodhouse Road.