Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Old City Hall and Courthouse, 1850

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

1. Old City Hall and Courthouse, 1850 Marker

Inscription. When Norfolk became an independent city in 1845, space was needed to accommodate municipal functions. The Classic Revival building was begun in 1847 and completed in 1850 as Norfolk's city Hall and Courthouse. The architect was William Singleton, a Portsmouth native then practicing in St. Louis. He was assisted, particularly in the design of the dome, by Thomas Ustick Walter, a Philadelphia architect who designed the dome of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. On the steps of this building Mayor Lamb surrendered the City of Norfolk to Union General John E. Wool on May 10, 1862. City offices occupied the building until they were relocated in 1918. Court use continued until 1960. The interior of the building was then completely reconstructed as a memorial, containing a historical museum dedicated to General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964). The General chose Norfolk as his final resting place because his mother, Mary Pinkney Hardy, was born and raised in the Berkley neighborhood of the city. General MacArthur died in April 1964.

Erected by City of Norfolk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Military • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1964.

Location. 36° 50.847′ N, 76° 17.344′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Bank Street and City Hall Ave on Bank Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

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: Col. Samuel Leroy Slover (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Town Back Creek and Stone Bridge

Old City Hall and Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

2. Old City Hall and Courthouse

(about 500 feet away); Tripoli Street (about 600 feet away); Lafayette's Tour (about 600 feet away); Commercial Place (about 600 feet away); Margaret Douglass (about 600 feet away); Monticello Hotel, 1898 (about 700 feet away); Governor Tazewell (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

3. Old City Hall and Courthouse, 1850 Marker

Douglas MacArthur image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

4. Douglas MacArthur

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,351 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.