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

Second County Courthouse

Cherrystone Meeting House Spring

— The Second Pittsylvania County Courthouse - 1778 —

Second County Courthouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2024

1. Second County Courthouse Marker

Inscription.
Henry County was formed from Pittsylvania County in 1778. Officials decided to move the courthouse to a new location. This was at Cherrystone Meeting House Spring. Today that site is at the bottom of Depot Street northward near the railroad tracks. This wooden structure was the first in the area that would later become Chatham.

[image caption]
• No known image of second courthouse exists

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1778.

Location. 36° 49.542′ N, 79° 23.929′ W. Marker is in Chatham, Virginia, in Pittsylvania County. It can be reached from the intersection of South Main Street and Pruden Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is mounted at eye-level on the north side of Competition Alley, near the west end of the alley. 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

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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 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: First County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Third County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Fourth County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Fifth County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Competition Alley (within shouting distance of this marker); Giles Gateway Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ex Parte Virginia (about 300 feet away); Pittsylvania Court House (about 300 feet away). 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 . . . A Tour of Historic Chatham, VA.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 7, 2026

2. Second County Courthouse Marker

Victorian Villa website entry (Submitted on September 9, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2024

3. Second County Courthouse Marker

Looking northwest from the west side of Competition Alley; this marker is on the right.

Competition Alley image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2024

4. Competition Alley

Looking west from South Main Street; marker is out of sight near the far end of Competition Alley. It is the 2nd of 5 markers mounted along the alley from west to east.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 17, 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 17, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.