Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Home Not Forgotten
Spotsylvania Courthouse Historic District
Photographed by Mike McKeown
1. A Home Not Forgotten Marker
Several well-known families lived in the brick dwelling during its lifetime. In 1838, wealthy builder Samuel Alsop Jr. sold the house, the adjacent tavern, and over 1,000 acres to Lewis and Hannah Rawlings. Soon after, the Rawlings donated a portion of that land to the county for the courthouse.
The Rawlings were prominent members of the local Episcopal community, hosting church services at their home and even donating land to build the nearby Christ Episcopal Church.
While the home saw several owners over the years, its final one was Samuel Peter Powell, who purchased it in 1920 during his tenure as the county's commonwealth's attorney. Powell, a vocal critic of local politicians, was convinced someone intentionally set the blaze that ravaged his home. However, arson was never proven, and the fire most likely started at the neighboring G.W. Perry & Son store, which was also destroyed.
After the fire,
this page online
(sidebar)
Samuel Peter Powell, this home's fianl owner, earned a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1902 and started a law practice in Spotsylvania. He served one year as a state delegate before being elected the county's commonwealth's attorney in 1916. His disputes with opponents often escalated, and one disagreement even resulted in a brawl on the courthouse lawn.
(caption) This circa-1900 photograph shows the home that once stood here still bearing the scars of the Civil War, with damage visible near the two top left windows. The image also reveals a newly added awning and two-story porch, which are absent from earlier photographs of the structure.
Erected by Spotsylvaniamuseum.org.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 38° 12.101′ N, 77° 35.307′ W. Marker is in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It is on Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 208) west of Brock Road ( Route 613), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map.
Photographed by Mike McKeown, October 25, 2026
2. A Home Not Forgotten Marker
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 walking distance of this marker: The House To Be Of Brick (a few steps from this marker); In His Father's Footsteps (within shouting distance of this marker); A Place Called "Courtland" (within shouting distance of this marker); Spotsylvania County Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Spotsylvania (within shouting distance of this marker); Spotsylvania Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Spotsylvania Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Across the Years & $6,700 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Another marker is no longer nearby. A Crime of Passion… A Devastating Loss… (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Spotsylvania County Museum. (Submitted on October 26, 2026.)
2. Visit Spotsy. Spotsylvania County Visitors Center & Gift Shop (Submitted on October 26, 2026.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2026, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
