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

Mahone's Tavern

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 7, 2025

1. Mahone's Tavern Marker

Inscription. Mahone's Tavern, built ca. 1796 across from the Southampton Co. courthouse, was a center of political and social activity for more than a century. Known as Kello's Tavern early in the 1800s, it served as a refuge for citizens and as an encampment for soldiers at the time of Nat Turner's insurrection in 1831. Fielding J. Mahone operated the tavern from 1841 to 1855. His son, William Mahone, a railroad magnate, Confederate major general, leader of the biracial Readjuster Party, and U.S. senator, lived here as a youth. John J. Kindred, a five-term congressman from NY, lived here as a child in the 1860s. Also known as Howard's Hotel, the building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 2024 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number U-96.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1796.

Location. 36° 42.85′ N, 77° 4.024′ W. Marker is in Courtland, Virginia, in Southampton County. It is on Main Street (Business U.S. 58) north of Court Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at

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or near this postal address: 22341 Main St, Courtland VA 23837, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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: A different marker also named Mahone’s Tavern (here, next to this marker); Vaughan's Tavern (a few steps from this marker); Southampton County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Rochelle-Prince House (within shouting distance of this marker); The County Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); Dred Scott Decision (within shouting distance of this marker); The County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct

Mahone's Tavern and Museum and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 7, 2025

2. Mahone's Tavern and Museum and Marker

line); Southampton County (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Courtland.

Mahone's Tavern Marker across from the Southhampton County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 7, 2025

3. Mahone's Tavern Marker across from the Southhampton County Courthouse

Mahone's Tavern and Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 7, 2025

4. Mahone's Tavern and Museum

Fielding and Martha Mahone Gravesites image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 21, 2026

5. Fielding and Martha Mahone Gravesites

Fielding J. Mahone, the tavern's operator, and his wife Martha are buried in the Manry-Mahone Family Cemetery on Linden Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 5. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.