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

History of Halifax

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

1. History of Halifax Marker

Inscription. The town of Halifax has been the county seat of Halifax County since 1777. It is named for George Montague, the second Earl of Halifax, an English statesman. Previously this community had been called Banister, Houston, and Halifax Court House. Portions of Gen. Nathanael Greene's troops were here in Feb. 1781. George Washington was in the region on 4 June 1791. During the spring of 1827, John Randolph of Roanoke spoke here to a large gathering of people. The present courthouse is a Classical Revival structure built in 1839, constructed by Dabney Cosby, Sr., one of Thomas Jefferson's master builders. Union Gen. George Custer camped in the region in Apr. 1865.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number R-77.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 4, 1791.

Location. 36° 45.937′ N, 78° 55.732′ W. Marker is in Halifax, Virginia, in Halifax County. It is at the

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

intersection of South Main Street (U.S. 501) and Edmunds Boulevard (Virginia Route 349), on the left when traveling north on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Halifax VA 24558, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bench (within shouting distance of this marker); Halifax County Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank Eubank Booker, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Halifax County War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Halifax Court House (about 300 feet away); St John's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Mary M. Bethune High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Green's Folly (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Halifax.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mary M. Bethune High School (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . The History of Halifax County. (Submitted on May 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

S Main St (facing north) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

2. S Main St (facing north)

S Main St (facing south) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

3. S Main St (facing south)

Halifax Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

4. Halifax Courthouse

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 30, 2025

5. History of Halifax Marker

Historic Court House Pavement Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 30, 2025

6. Historic Court House Pavement Marker

Adjacent to the Marker, in the sidewalk.

Historic Halifax Court House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 30, 2025

7. Historic Halifax Court House

Adjacent to the Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,635 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 2, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.