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

Courthouse

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

1. Courthouse Marker

Inscription. This Greek Revival building was constructed between 1838 and 1840 and designed by New York architect Calvin Pollard as the city’s Husting’s Courthouse. The term “hustings” derives from a British form of court system loosely in place in Virginia today and refers to a public space where political campaign speeches are made.

Until the 20th Century, the building housed the city’s administrative offices as well as a variety of courts. Many significant trials occurred here, including that of the Underground Railroad conductor Captain William Bayliss in 1858. During the Siege of Petersburg, Confederate soldiers in the trenches used the “Town Clock” as a timepiece. The sculpture of Lady Justice that surmounts the tour remained in place during the Siege and was constantly struck by Union shells. At 4:00 am on April 3, 1865, the First Michigan Sharpshooters lowered their flag from the clock tower, marking the end of the Siege of Petersburg, and effectively, the end of the Civil War. Today the building serves as Petersburg’s Circuit Court.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1780.

Location. 37° 13.847′ N, 77° 24.219′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It can

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be reached from the intersection of Courthouse Avenue and North Sycamore 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: Corling's Corner (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old U.S. Customs House & Post Office (about 600 feet away); Elizabeth Keckley (about 600 feet away); Exchange Building (about 700 feet away); Lincoln In Petersburg (about 700 feet away); Petersburg Volunteers 1812 (about 800 feet away); St. Paul's Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bollingbrook Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Also see . . . Petersburg Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on November 11, 2021.)

Petersburg Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

2. Petersburg Courthouse

Petersburg, Va. Courthouse. <i>Library of Congress [LC-B811-03293]</i> image. Click for full size.

1865

3. Petersburg, Va. Courthouse. Library of Congress [LC-B811-03293]

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,338 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.