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

Three Courthouse Essentials

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

1. Three Courthouse Essentials Marker

Inscription. A clerk’s office, jail and tavern were located at every courthouse. The purpose of the clerk’s office and the jail are obvious, but can you guess why the tavern was just as essential? In the colonial era courts met infrequently, and lawyers and litigants often traveled long distances to attend. Without a tavern those attending court would have had no place to dine or lodge during the days of the court session.

The original clerk’s office was replaced in 1901 with the building that now houses the visitor information center. It was an example of early fireproof construction designed to protect the county’s important legal records. For many years it was the county’s only office building where even the Board of Supervisors held its meetings.

(sidebar)
Discovery Center
The tavern was a gathering place for lawyers. Can you find the tavern bill for a former Virginia Governor?
John Major Tavern & Lodging Account, 1794.Courtesy Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Erected by Charles City Courthouse, Waste Management.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 37°

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

20.5′ N, 77° 4.338′ W. Marker is in Charles City, Virginia, in Charles City County. Marker is at the intersection of Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 155) and Watermelon Fields Road on Courthouse Road. The marker is on the lawn of the old Charles City Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charles City VA 23030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Tyler (here, next to this marker); Confederate Memorial (here, next to this marker); Shifting Ground (a few steps from this marker); America’s 3rd Oldest Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Eye Witness to a Revolution (a few steps from this marker); Isaac Brandon Lynched, 6 April 1892 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles City Court House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles City.

More about this marker. On the upper left is a "Robert K. Sneeden watercolor of Charles City tavern, 1862. The tavern above was built at the same time as the courthouse, but was lost to fire during the Civil War. Courtesy Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia."
On the lower right is a period photo of "The Charles City jail, photographed June 13, 1864, had a second-story debtor’s room and an exercise yard. Courtesy Library of
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

2. Charles City County Courthouse & Clerk's Office.
The Clerk's Office is now a Visitor Information Center.
Congress."

John Tyler marker near the Clerk's Office. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

3. John Tyler marker near the Clerk's Office.

To commemorate the efforts of John Tyler, native son, President of the United States 1841-1845. Chairman of the Peace Convention, 1861. To preserve the Union and to prevent war between the states. Erected 1961.

Charles City Court House, Virginia. View of jail. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Timothy H. O'Sullivan, June 13, 1864

4. Charles City Court House, Virginia. View of jail.

Library of Congress LC-B811-0779

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 978 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 8, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.