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

A Multipurpose Yard

— Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail —

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones, October 24, 2026

1. A Multipurpose Yard Marker

Inscription.
In 1822 a 51' x 60' parcel was purchased from Thaddeus Norris, the owner of a local tavern that once stood approximately where the Warren Green building is today. On this parcel, the new 1823 jail was built. At that time the stone wall that you see today was erected, standing 22' high and 2' thick.

This yard served a variety of purposes including an exercise area, vegetable garden, root cellar, outhouse for waste, coal storage, and executions.

In 2009 students from the University of Mary Washington excavated the yard under the guidance of Dr. Douglas Sanford. The excavation identified the yard's many uses and helped with future research.

During this study horseshoes, hod bones, pottery, glass, and handmade dice were discovered.

Erected 2019 by Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail; made possible by donations from The Fauquier Bank and Give Local Piedmont.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Education • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.

Location. 38° 42.81′ N, 77° 47.768′ W. Marker is in Warrenton, Virginia,

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in Fauquier County. It can be reached from Ashby Street south of Waterloo Street (Business U.S. 211), on the right when traveling north. The marker stands in an open-air section of the Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Ashby St, Warrenton VA 20186, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: The History of Hangings (here, next to this marker); The Courtyard (a few steps from this marker); Mill Stones (a few steps from this marker); "In Honor and Remembrance" (a few steps from this marker);

The History of Hanging and A Multipurpose Yard Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 24, 2026

2. The History of Hanging and A Multipurpose Yard Markers

22 Waterloo (within shouting distance of this marker); John Singleton Mosby (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette’s Stepping Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); Concrete Bench (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warrenton.

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 within shouting distance of 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 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.