Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Spotsylvania County Jail

Photographed By Kevin W., November 18, 2007

1. Spotsylvania County Jail Marker

Inscription. When the Blockhouse Road Courthouse, located 3 miles southwest of here, burned to the ground in 1937, the new Courthouse was built at this intersection of the Fredericksburg and Brock roads on property conveyed from tavern owner, Lewis Rawlings.

The Jail was relocated in June of 1839, with the acceptance of the “new Courthouse”. Bricks, irons and timbers from the Blockhouse Road jail were used in the construction. That jail, positioned just downgrade from this location, burned in 1853. Salvaged brick was used to erect a wall around two sides of the Courthouse lot.

In March 1855 the Virginia Herald reported that the jail contractor and “new” tavern owner, Joseph Sanford, had nearly completed “a top notch public facility for administration of justice in the County” at a cost of approximately $3000.00. It was formally accepted the next year and remained in use as a jail until 1943.

(Caption of picture, lower left): Women At Jail Door, May 6, 1887; Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Va.

(Caption
Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online
of picture, lower right): Spotsylvania Jail, WPA, July 1931, The Library of Virginia

Erected by Spotsylvania Preservation Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1855.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 12.046′ N, 77° 35.341′ W. Marker was in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker was at the intersection of Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 208) and American Legion Drive, on the left when traveling south on Courthouse Road. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 9107 Judicial Center Ln, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Modification, Decay & Preservation (a few steps from this marker); A Case of Negligence (a few steps from this marker);

Photographed By Kevin W., November 18, 2007

2. Spotsylvania County Jail Marker

An Old Jail...A New Home (within shouting distance of this marker); A Final Journey (within shouting distance of this marker); Amid Shot and Shell (within shouting distance of this marker); Turning the Pages of Time (within shouting distance of this marker); Legend, Lore and Fact (within shouting distance of this marker); Fisticuffs on the Courthouse Lawn and other Political Drama (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.

Spotsylvania County Jail and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., November 18, 2007

3. Spotsylvania County Jail and Marker

Spotsylvania County Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., November 18, 2007

4. Spotsylvania County Jail

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,442 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 20, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.