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

Middlesex County Courthouse

Photographed by Kevin W., November 19, 2008

1. Middlesex County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. In 1849, the county seat of Middlesex was moved from Urbanna to Saluda. Engineer John P. Hill completed the present courthouse in 1852. During the Civil War, Federal cavalrymen stationed in Yorktown made several excursions through the county. Court clerk Philemon T. Woodward (1852 – 1892) concealed the county’s colonial records nearby in Dragon Swamp, thereby saving a rich source of local history from potential Union souvenir hunters. Virginia’s first county museum was established in the old clerk’s office in 1935, and Works Progress Administration workers constructed the brick wall enclosing the complex during the same decade.

Erected 2006 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number N-41.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 37° 36.38′ N, 76° 35.687′ W. Marker is in Saluda, Virginia, in Middlesex County. It is at the intersection of General Puller Highway (Virginia Route 33) and Gloucester Road (Business

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U.S. 17), on the right when traveling west on General Puller Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saluda VA 23149, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 1st Lt Beryl R. Newman (here, next to this marker); Antioch Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); Middlesex County Confederate Monument (a few steps from this marker); Middlesex County Veteran's Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Morgan v. Virginia (within shouting distance of this marker); Middlesex County / Gloucester County (approx. 1.6 miles away); Scottish Factors Store (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saluda.

More about this marker. Philemon T. Woodward was clerk of the Middlesex County Court from 1852 - 1892.

Also see . . . The Dragon Run Story. The story of Philemon T. Woodward hiding the records. (Submitted on December 4, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Middlesex County Courthouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., November 19, 2008

2. Middlesex County Courthouse and Marker

Note the wall surrounding the courthouse, as mentioned on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,648 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Picture of the Old Clerk's Office. • Can you help?