Powhatan in Powhatan County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Courthouse Tavern / Atkinson's Hotel / The Village

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021
1. The Courthouse Tavern side of the marker
The Courthouse Tavern
Steeped in Powhatan history this large building evolved from the story and a half frame portion on the right which dates to the late 18th century. The impressive brick portion with the double galleries was completed in 1822. Initially owner Richard Bass named it the Grove Tavern after a grove of trees just opposite of the public Square. Stage coach stop, Post Office, dining hall, school, apartments, over the generations this building has housed them all.
The Tavern is a Virginia Historic Landmark, being part of the Powhatan Courthouse Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic places.
Atkinson's Hotel: In the years after the Civil War, descendants of the builder Richard Bass changed the name of this Tavern to Atkinson's Hotel. The word Tavern was fading from use and the term Hotel seemed more modern. While always welcoming travelers arriving on stagecoach, horseback and railroad, summer boarding away from the heat of the city was a specialty of The Atkinson.
The Village: Laid out in 1777 and today called simply Powhatan Courthouse, the Village was originally named Scottville after Gen. Charles Scott a Revolutionary War officer born in the area. Confusion on maps and in the mails with Scottsville in Albemarle County likely led to the change in terminology. The prolific Virginia writer Marion Harland (1830-1922) lived here in the Village and her works contain fascinating vignettes of early Powhatan.
Erected by John F. Rothert.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.
Location. 37° 32.532′ N, 77° 55.099′ W. Marker is in Powhatan, Virginia, in Powhatan County. Marker is on Courthouse Tavern Lane (Virginia Route 300) just east of Old Buckingham Road (Virginia Route 13), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3820 Courthouse Tavern Ln, Powhatan VA 23139, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Powhatan Troop (within shouting distance of this marker); The Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial to Powhatan Servicemen (within shouting distance of this marker); Powhatan Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Powhatan Court House

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021
2. Atkinson's Hotel / The Village side of the marker

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021
3. The Courthouse Tavern / Atkinson's Hotel / The Village Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 267 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.