Chesterfield in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

1917 Courthouse

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 11, 2019

1. 1917 Courthouse Marker

Inscription. The 1917 Courthouse stands on the footprint of the first Chesterfield County courthouse built in 1749 and demolished in 1917, against the will of local citizenry. This early preservation case was the subject of heated debate between concerned citizens wanting to save the historic courthouse by building a new one in Chester, and prominent residents led by county supervisor Walter A. Horner who argued successfully to retain the courthouse at its original location. The cornerstone of the new Courthouse was laid on October 26, 1917 during the annual county fair and was followed by a parade of one hundred drafted men encamped in the courthouse yard. On February 5, 1917, a contract was awarded to Vaughan Construction of Shawsville, VA, for a new brick building measuring 48 by 84 feet. An all-day picnic was held on May 2, 1918 when the doors of the new courthouse were thrown open for the first time. All schools were dismissed and pupils were thrown open for the first time. All schools were dismissed and pupils were urged to take part in the festive program. The first term of court opened in the new courthouse on May 13, 1918 when

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Judge Robert G. Southall took the bench.

The original Chesterfield County Courthouse was built in 1749 and was used until 1781 when it was burned by British troops under the command of Gen. William Phillips. It was rebuilt by 1783 and was used until it was torn down to make room for the new courthouse in 1917.

Erected 2017 by Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1917.

Location. 37° 22.581′ N, 77° 30.434′ W. Marker is in Chesterfield, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It can be reached from Iron Bridge Road (Virginia Route 10) west of Wagners Way, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10004 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield VA 23832, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard.

The Courthouse of 1917 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 11, 2019

2. The Courthouse of 1917

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Apostles of Religious Liberty (a few steps from this marker); Chesterfield Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Employee Service Recognition (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I in Chesterfield County (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Chesterfield County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Magnolia Grange (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield County Historic Landmark, Virginia Historic Landmark and National Register plaques image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 11, 2019

3. Chesterfield County Historic Landmark, Virginia Historic Landmark and National Register plaques

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 573 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 11, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.