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

Golden Ball Tavern

By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

1. Golden Ball Tavern Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Here stood a dwelling house, constructed about 1764 by prosperous tobacco merchant, Richard Hanson, who, as a fervent Loyalist, fled Virginia in 1776. During the latter part of the Revolution, the structure became known as the Golden Ball Tavern. According to tradition, British officers serving under Cornwallis were quartered here in 1781. When Petersburg was incorporated as a town in 1784, the town council and the courts used the tavern as their first meeting place. The structure was enlarged by 1820 and utilized as a hotel until after the Civil War when it was used for a number of retail ventures. The building was demolished in 1944.

Erected 2002 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number QA-2.)

Location. 37° 13.961′ N, 77° 24.426′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of West Old Street and North Market Street on West Old Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Petersburg’s Role In Trade (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Peter Jones

Corner of Old St & N Market St. image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

2. Corner of Old St & N Market St.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Peter Jones Trading Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Peter Jones Trading Station (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Peter Jones Trading Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Tavern Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Concrete Bunker (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Categories. • Colonial Era • Notable Buildings • War, US Revolutionary •

Archaeological excavation at the site of the Golden Ball Tavern (2008). image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

3. Archaeological excavation at the site of the Golden Ball Tavern (2008).

The three-year project, funded primarily by the Cameron Foundation, is a collaborative effort between the Historic Petersburg Foundation, the Prince George Historical Society, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Richard Bland College and the City of Petersburg.

Golden Ball Tavern (front). image. Click for full size.

By John Romney

4. Golden Ball Tavern (front).

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress HABS VA,27-PET,18-)

Golden Ball Tavern (rear). image. Click for full size.

By John Romney

5. Golden Ball Tavern (rear).

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress HABS VA,27-PET,18-)

More. Search the internet for Golden Ball Tavern.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on April 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,044 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.