Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Old Isle of Wight Courthouse

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 18, 2010

1. Old Isle of Wight Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Smithfield served as the county seat from 1752 to 1801. The Old Isle of Wight Courthouse was built in 1752. Constructed by William Rand, it is one of Virginia's few surviving colonial structures and is notable for having a semicircular apse with a conical roof, reflective of the Colonial Capitol in Williamsburg. Converted into a residence in 1812, the courthouse was acquired by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities in 1938 and restored to its original appearance. A nearby house was converted into a tavern for the courthouse village by Rand around 1756; it was modified and enlarged over the years and is now known as the Smithfield Inn.

Erected 2002 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-316.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1752.

Location. 36° 58.91′ N, 76° 37.922′ W. Marker is in Smithfield, Virginia, in Isle of Wight County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 258) and North

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Mason Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Smithfield VA 23430, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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: Law & Politics in 18th Century Isle of Wight (a few steps from this marker); Ivy Hill Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Bricks in the Crosswalk (within shouting distance of this marker); Atkinson Storehouse (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Isle of Wight County War Memorial (about 600 feet away);

Old Isle of Wight Courthouse on Main St image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 18, 2010

2. Old Isle of Wight Courthouse on Main St

The Todd House & the First Smithfield Ham (about 700 feet away); Founding Site of Smithfield Packing Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Joseph W. Luter, III (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smithfield.

Also see . . .
1. The Old Courthouse of 1750. Preserve America Community: Smithfield, Virginia (Submitted on September 20, 2010.)

2. Old Isle of Wight Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on September 20, 2010.)

Old Isle of Wight Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 18, 2010

3. Old Isle of Wight Courthouse

Old Isle of Wight Courthouse Interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 18, 2010

4. Old Isle of Wight Courthouse Interior

National Register of Historic Places

5. Old Isle of Wight Courthouse

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 18, 2010

6. APVA Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,891 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.