Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Historic Orange County, Virginia
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, July 27, 2026
1. Historic Orange County, Virginia Marker
1859 Orange County Court House:
The first court house to be located in the Town of Orange was built in 1749, followed by a new structure in 1803. When the railroad came to Orange in 1854 and laid its tracks at the court house door, county leaders rebuilt for the third time, and this structure, completed in 1859, remains as an historic attachment to the modern court facilities. The 1859 Court House is a very interesting part of Virginia's architectural inventory, having been constructed in the Italianate style at a time when Thomas Jefferson's neo-classical architecture was the preferred sytle for public buildings. (Historic photo postcard provided by Sam Higginbotham, Esq., and photo provided by Orange County.)
Images and text provided by Orange County Department of Tourism
Erected 2013.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.
Location. 38° 22.289′ N, 77° 46.109′ W. Marker is in Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. It can be reached from Twin Drive 0.1 miles north of A and K Boulevard, on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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 Historic Orange County, Virginia (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Historic Orange County, Virginia
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, July 27, 2026
2. Historic Orange County, Virginia Marker
The marker is the third from left in the set of six under the overhang.
Other markers no longer nearby. Germanna Ford (was approx. Ύ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Germanna Ford (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Germanna Ford (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This marker and those that adjoin it were part of a successful partnership between Walmart and the historical/preservation organizations that mobilized to convince Walmart not to build on the Wilderness Battlefield.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These are the other markers erected next to this one at this Walmart.
Also see . . . Wilderness Walmart Controversy Resolution.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 15, 2025
3. Orange Courthouse
The 1859 courthouse shown on the marker, standing at the corner of W Main Street and Madison Road (US 15), 24 miles driving distance west of the Walmart and its set of markers. The courthouse was busy during the Civil War, being used as an armory for the Montpelier Guard and as a prison for captured Federal troops after the Battle of Cedar Mountain in August 1862. There was also a cavalry skirmish on the street in front of the Courthouse that same month.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
