Warrenton in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Courtyard
| — | Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail | — |
Imagine a prisoner walking through your home to gain access to the back jail.
The courtyard was built with the addition of the 1823 stone jail to facilitate the movement of prisoners. The jailer would walk prisoners through the courthouse looming beyond the gate.
The tall stone walls and sturdy gates make the courtyard a secure area for handling prisoners outside their cells. Along with the exercise yard in the back, this area would be the only place prisoners could get a breath of fresh air, temporarily.
This area made life better for both jailer and prisoner by offering safety to one and liberties to the other. In this way, the couryard was a balance between freedom and incarceration.
Erected 2019 by Fauquier Hisotry Museum at the Old Jail; made possible by dontations from The Fauquier Bankd and Give Local Piedmont.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.
Location. 38° 42.818′ N, 77° 47.766′ W. Marker is in Warrenton, Virginia, in Fauquier County. It can be reached from Ashby Street south of Waterloo Street (Business
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: Mill Stones (here, next to this marker); "In Honor and Remembrance" (a few steps from this marker); A Multipurpose Yard (a few steps from this marker); The History of Hangings (a few steps from this marker); John Singleton Mosby (a few steps from this marker); Lafayette’s Stepping Stone (a few steps
Other markers no longer nearby. Executions in the Yard (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Warrenton (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on June 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
