Warm Springs in Bath County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Bath County Courthouses

Photographed by Dave W, September 7, 2024

1. Bath County Courthouses Marker

Inscription.

Bath County Courthouses. . , 1790 , On December 14, 1790, an Act by the Virginia General Assembly created Bath County from portions of Augusta, Botetourt, and Greenbrier counties. A stone courthouse and log jail were erected at the prominent intersection of the Warm Springs Mountain Turnpike and the Jackson River Turnpike in the small village of Bath Court House. This 1890's map shows the Court House village at the intersection of the turnpikes., 1842 , In 1842, a new brick courthouse and jail replaced the earlier buildings. Some residents called for moving the courthouse to the community of Germantown located a ½ mile away from the busy and crowded area around the springs. Despite these requests, the courthouse remained at the springs site. During the Civil War, Northern troops used the courthouse as a headquarters. The building was renovated after the war, and continued to serve the county for another 40 years , 1906 , In 1906, a court order required the Bath County Board of Supervisors to build a new courthouse and jail. The old buildings were auctioned off and became a hotel. The cupola that formerly stood atop the brick courthouse can be seen on the former Warm Springs Episcopal Church (1854), which is located southwest of the springs on Church Road., 1908 , In 1908, the new courthouse was built a hillside site overlooking the community of Germantown, later renamed Warm Springs. Designed by architect Frank Pierce Milburn the two-story brick building featured projecting front porch with large columns on either side. The courthouse burned in 1912., 1914 , The T.J. Collins and Sons architectural firm designed the courthouse that stands in Warm Springs today. The Classical Revival-style building completed in 1914, features a wide front porch that is supported by six columns. The most distinctive element of the courthouse, however, is the centrally located domed bell and clock tower. The original bell is still in use. In 1980, a two-story wing was added to the back of the building., (caption) The law office of John W. Stephenson was moved from its location near the old courthouse by the Warm Springs Pools to the new courthouse site in Germantown. Today, the building houses the Bath County Historical Society., Photograph Credits: Bath County Historical Society, David Rumsey Map Collection courtesy Stanford University Libraries (Creative Commons)

1790
On December 14, 1790, an Act by the Virginia General Assembly created Bath County from portions of Augusta, Botetourt, and Greenbrier counties. A stone courthouse and log jail were erected at the prominent intersection of the Warm Springs Mountain Turnpike and the Jackson River Turnpike in the small village of Bath Court House. This 1890's map shows the Court House village at the intersection of the turnpikes.

1842
In 1842, a new brick courthouse and jail replaced the earlier buildings. Some residents called for moving the courthouse to the community of Germantown located a ½ mile away from the busy and crowded area around the springs. Despite these requests, the courthouse remained at the springs site. During the Civil War, Northern troops used the courthouse as a headquarters. The building was renovated after the war, and continued to serve the county for another 40 years

1906
In 1906, a court order required the Bath County Board of Supervisors to build a new courthouse and jail. The old buildings were auctioned off and became a hotel. The cupola that formerly stood atop the brick courthouse can be seen on the former Warm Springs Episcopal Church (1854), which is located southwest of the springs on Church Road.

1908
In 1908, the new courthouse

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was built a hillside site overlooking the community of Germantown, later renamed Warm Springs. Designed by architect Frank Pierce Milburn the two-story brick building featured projecting front porch with large columns on either side. The courthouse burned in 1912.

1914
The T.J. Collins and Sons architectural firm designed the courthouse that stands in Warm Springs today. The Classical Revival-style building completed in 1914, features a wide front porch that is supported by six columns. The most distinctive element of the courthouse, however, is the centrally located domed bell and clock tower. The original bell is still in use. In 1980, a two-story wing was added to the back of the building.

(caption) The law office of John W. Stephenson was moved from its location near the old courthouse by the Warm Springs Pools to the new courthouse site in Germantown. Today, the building houses the Bath County Historical Society.

Photograph Credits: Bath County Historical Society, David Rumsey Map Collection courtesy Stanford University Libraries (Creative Commons)

Erected by Preservation Bath.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 14, 1790.

Location.

Photographed by Dave W, September 7, 2024

2. Bath County Courthouses Marker

38° 2.759′ N, 79° 47.376′ W. Marker is in Warm Springs, Virginia, in Bath County. It is on Courthouse Hill Road (Virginia Route 619) 0.2 miles west of Sam Snead Highway (U.S. 220), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 65 Courthouse Hill Rd, Warm Springs VA 24484, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley,

in the Alleghany Highlands,

and specifically in the Potomac Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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: Confederate Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The County Seat of Bath (a few steps from this marker); In Memory of Our Fallen Comrades (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Bath County Historical Society Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dinwiddie Mantle (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Warm Springs (about 700 feet away); Waterwheel Restaurant Building (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warm Springs.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.