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

Bland County Courthouse Bell

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 25, 2022

1. Bland County Courthouse Bell Marker

Inscription. This bell is a symbol of Bland County's rich history. In 1873, John M. Hicks was authorized to purchase the bell for the County's first courthouse. Weighing nearly 1,000 lbs., the bell was cast in solid bronze by Kaye & Company, Inc.; Louisville, KY, and arrived here by rail and then wagon.

Construction for the Bland County Courthouse began in 1871 and took approximately three years to complete. It was dedicated to the citizens of Bland County on October 22, 1874. The bell has survived many years, including the devastating fire of 1888. During the courthouse renovation and expansion project in 2003, the original bell was removed from its belfry and is now on display to ring proudly for generations to come.

Erected 2007.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 37° 6.018′ N, 81° 6.905′ W. Marker is in Bland, Virginia, in Bland County. It is on Main Street south of Courthouse Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker and bell are near the front entrance of the Bland County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 612 Main Street, Bland VA 24315, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia

and in the Blue Ridge 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bland County Confederate Monument (a few steps from this marker); World War Memorial Bridge (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bland (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named One of the “Big Four” (approx. 5.3 miles away); Homesteader's Legacy (approx. 5.9 miles away); Crockett's Cove Presbyterian Church (approx. 6.7 miles away); War Between The States Marker (approx. 6.7 miles away); Crockett’s Cove (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bland.

Another marker is no longer nearby. One of the "Big Four" (was approx. 5.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Bland County Courthouse Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 25, 2022

2. Bland County Courthouse Bell

Bland County Courthouse. Bell and Marker are at the gazebo near the flags image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 25, 2022

3. Bland County Courthouse. Bell and Marker are at the gazebo near the flags

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on March 12, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.