Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Joseph Sanford's Inn & Tavern
Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District
Joseph Farmer Sanford was born in 1819, the son of Lawrence Sanford and Apphia Farmer in Stafford County, Virginia. In 1835, he married Agnes I. M. Crawford of Orange, Virginia. His early career was that of the keeper of the U.S. Hotel in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
In 1853, he purchased the "Tavern Tract" from Lewis Rawlings and soon began operating Sanford's Tavern and Inn. Joseph and Agnew would have seven children of which five would live to adulthood. By 1860, Joseph's property holdings would be valued at $10,000 and he was also farming his vast acreage. Agnes died suddenly in 1859.
Joseph also oversaw the Courthouse, was the County jailor, and served as Overseer of the Poor. His loyalty to the Confederacy was unquestioned. When the conflict broke out in 1861, two sons, Joseph Jr. and Lawrence would join the Fredericksburg Artillery. Sanford suffered personally when Joseph Jr. was killed near Falling Waters, Maryland in September of 1862, during the Army of Northern Virginia's retreat from Antietam.
[Captions:]
Stanford's Inn photographed in 1867. The corn crib, stables and barn are down the road. Note the rail fence and portico's on the side entrances no longer present.
Saford sold supplies and material to the Confederacy throughout the war.
Erected by
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Spotsylvania County Museum series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1862.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 12.073′ N, 77° 35.382′ W. Marker was in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It was at the intersection of Brock Road (County Road 613) and Courthouse Road (State Route 208), on the right when traveling east on Brock Road. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 9064 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: War at the Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Many Lives of a Landmark (here, next to this marker); Sanford's Tavern & Inn (here, next to this marker); A Courthouse at the Tavern (here, next to this marker); Building an Empire (here, next to this marker); Lees Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); Doctor's Orders (within shouting distance of this marker); Legend, Lore and Fact (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Other markers no longer
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. It replaced this marker in the same location.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,001 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on February 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
