Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The House To Be Of Brick
Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District
| | Spotsylvania County Museum | |
Fire destroyed the frame Courthouse near the Po River in 1838. Tavern owner Lewis Rawlings and his wife Ann offered 10 acres of land near his tavern on the road to Fredericksburg as a new site and the County quickly accepted. The Commissioners chose Malcolm F. Crawford of Charlottesville, Virginia to build the new Courthouse. Crawford, a disciple of Thomas Jefferson, built 27 of the dormitories at the University of Virginia.
[Captions:]
Crawford (1797-1876) also constructed the Caroline, Page, Madison and Rappahannock County courthouses.
The first Courthouse photographed in 1866 by George H. Bell. Clearly discernible in the background are the massive earthworks of Lee's defensive line in May of 1864. In the foreground are the battered walls constructed the by Gabriel Long in 1838, as well as the famous well.
Apparently having learned a lesson, the Commissioners insured the new building. In 1847, it was insured for $5000 at the cost of $20. Document Image Courtesy CHRC
A front view of the Courthouse circa 1880. Note the presence of the 2nd floor windows as specified in the bid for construction.
Construction invoice for $4,325.39 approved by the Commissioners. Note the diligence with check marks at every line item, Image document Courtesy CRHC
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Little unchanged today, the Commissioners advertised bids to construct the new building.
Erected by Spotsylvania County Museum; County of Spotsylvania, Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1864.
Location. 38° 12.095′ N, 77° 35.315′ W. Marker is in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It is on Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 208) south of Richard Samuels Lane, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9105 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: In His Father's Footsteps (within shouting distance of this marker); A Place Called "Courtland" (within shouting distance of this marker); Spotsylvania County Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Spotsylvania (within shouting distance of this marker); Spotsylvania Court House (within shouting distance of this marker);
Another marker is no longer nearby. A Crime of Passion A Devastating Loss (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 332 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 20, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
