Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Folly Castle

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

1. Folly Castle Marker

Inscription. This house was the town home of Peter Jones, who built it in 1763. It was called "Folly Castle" because it was a large house for a childless man, but Jones later had offspring. Major Erasmus Gill, Revolutionary soldier, also lived here.

Virginia Conservation & Development Commission
For the City of Petersburg 1931

Erected 1931 by Virginia Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number QA-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Notable Buildings • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1763.

Location. 37° 13.607′ N, 77° 24.57′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection of West Washington Street (U.S. 1) and Perry Street, on the right when traveling west on West Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: A different marker also named General Lee's Headquarters (about 300 feet away); Joseph Cotten (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Two Noted Homes (about 800 feet away);

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North Carolina Confederate Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grace Episcopal Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Headquarters of Gen. R. E. Lee (approx. ¼ mile away); Wyatt Tee Walker (approx. ¼ mile away); Lincoln In Petersburg (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. General Lee's Headquarters (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Two Noted Homes (was about 800 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Folly Castle Historic District. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on November 11, 2021.)

"Folly Castle" at W Washington St & Perry St image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

2. "Folly Castle" at W Washington St & Perry St

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,322 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.