Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Last Capital of the Confederacy

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, March 18, 2022

1. The Last Capital of the Confederacy Marker

Inscription. Danville became the “Last Capital of the Confederacy” in 1865 when the Confederate government moved here from Richmond to escape advancing Union troops. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, established his headquarters at the home of Major William T. Sutherlin on April 3 and fled on April 10 after General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, 90 miles north of Danville. The Sutherlin Mansion still stands at 975 Main Street.

Erected 2016 by City of Danville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 3, 1865.

Location. 36° 35.257′ N, 79° 23.583′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on Main Street (Virginia Route 293) west of North Union Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Main Street, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: Danville, City Of Churches (here, next to this marker); Millionaires’ Row (a few steps from this marker); Danville's Civil Rights Movement (a few steps from this marker); Two Centuries of Hotels (a few steps from this marker); Home of Dan River Fabrics

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(within shouting distance of this marker); "Opera House Alley" (within shouting distance of this marker); Danville's Streetcars (within shouting distance of this marker); True Friends Of Charity (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

More about this marker. This Marker is one of five historic markers installed by the City of Danville adjacent to HOME Plaza in 2016.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 31, 2024

2. The Last Capital of the Confederacy Marker

The Last Capital of the Confederacy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 2, 2024

3. The Last Capital of the Confederacy

The Sutherlin Mansion on Main Street in Danville served as the last Capital of the Confederate States of America in 1865.

Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 2, 2024

4. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History

The Sutherlin Mansion, which served as the headquarters of the Confederate government, is now the location of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 304 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 15, 2024, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.