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

Fifth County Courthouse

Town of Chatham

— The Fifth Pittsylvania County Courthouse - 1852 —

Fifth County Courthouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2024

1. Fifth County Courthouse Marker

Inscription.
This two story Greek Revival building is located at the top of the hill. It exhibits Jefferson’s influence. It has survived threats of war, storms, and fire to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the south.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 36° 49.544′ N, 79° 23.913′ 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 east 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 Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the

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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: Fourth County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Third County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Competition Alley (here, next to 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); Pittsylvania Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Pittsylvania County World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Regarding Fifth County Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places #81000643.

From the National Register Nomination:
The facade (west) is distinguished by a pedimented Greek Revival portico
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 7, 2026

2. Fifth County Courthouse Marker
with Doric columns on square piers. The portico shelters a restored double-door side entrance that features a louvred transom and a stone lintel with turned corner blocks. Two auxiliary entrances flank the portico on the ground level; an original single-door side entrance is found on the south elevation. The building is topped by a cupola which was added as the building was nearing completion in August 1853 to house a bell. The cupola is divided into two stages: the lower one containing the clock, the second the belfry. The belfry has a Italianate bracketed cornice and a railing with turned balusters.

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

Also see . . . Pittsylvania County Courthouse (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

The original portion of the building, built in 1853, faces west, with a modern addition extending to the east along Bank Street. It is a two-story brick building, with a combination of Classical and Italianate styling, designed by L.M. Shumaker. It has a pedimented Greek Revival portico, supported by four fluted Doric columns, and is topped by a tall cupola
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2024

3. Fifth County Courthouse Marker
Looking northwest from the east end of Competition Alley; marker is the rightmost of 3 near the east end of the alley.
housing a bell and clock.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987, because it was the scene of events leading to Ex Parte Virginia, a United States Supreme Court case extending the Equal Protection Clause to state actions such as jury selection.

(Submitted on July 18, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

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 the 5th of 5 markers mounted along the alley from west to east, and visible here on the right/north wall of the alley, immediately behind the wrought iron gateway.

Fifth Pittsylvania County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 11, 2024

5. Fifth Pittsylvania County Courthouse

The 5th Pittsylvania County Courthouse is located 1 block north of Competition Alley.

Fifth County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 8, 2026

6. Fifth County Courthouse

Located in Chatham.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 18, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on March 8, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 18, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on May 16, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.