Chatham in Pittsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Competition Alley

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2024

1. Competition Alley Marker

Inscription. Last unchanged street of the original town of Competition
(1807-1852)

Dedicated as a historical landmark by Chatham First, Inc.,
Pittsylvania Historical Society and the Town of Chatham
December 6, 2008

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.

Location. 36° 49.542′ N, 79° 23.908′ W. Marker is in Chatham, Virginia, in Pittsylvania County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and Pruden Street, on the left when traveling north on South Main Street. The marker is mounted on the building located on the south side of Competition Alley, facing South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16 South Main Street, Chatham VA 24531, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Virginia,

specifically in the Piedmont,

and in Southside Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself

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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: Fifth County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Fourth County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Third County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Second County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); First County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Ex Parte Virginia (within shouting distance of this marker); Chatham (within shouting distance of this marker); Giles Gateway Park (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Competition Alley

Also see . . .
1. Chatham, Virginia. Wikipedia entry:
Excerpt:

Chatham is the county seat of Pittsylvania County. The town was originally called Competition, but the name was changed to Chatham by the Virginia General Assembly on May 1, 1852.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 7, 2026

2. Competition Alley Marker

(Submitted on July 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Competition Alley Commemorated. Michael's Publications website entry (Submitted on September 9, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Competition Alley Gateway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2024

3. Competition Alley Gateway

The marker is mounted on the former J. I. Overbey Hardware building, on the left/south side of Competition Alley.

Competition Alley image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2024

4. Competition Alley

Looking west from South Main Street.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 7, 2026

5. Competition Alley

Competition Alley Dedication plaque in the center of the alley image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 7, 2026

6. Competition Alley Dedication plaque in the center of the alley

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on March 8, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5, 6. submitted on March 8, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.