Laurel in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Early Courthouses in Varina

Establishment of Justice

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 13, 2011

1. The Early Courthouses in Varina Marker

Inscription. During the 1620s, Henrico court meetings were referred to as the Court of Upper Charles City. After the establishment of the county in 1634, the gentlemen justices of Henrico assembled for their monthly sessions either at the home of one of their members or at a local meeting place such as a tavern or church. By 1640, the Henrico Court was meeting in Varina, and in 1680, Varina “where the court house is” was designated a town by the General Assembly. The first courthouse was described as a wood frame structure built on blocks which underwent major repairs in 1688. Sometime between 1688 and 1749, the next building was erected. Henrico courthouses remained at or near the same site just east of Dutch Gap until 1752 when the court moved to the new town of Richmond.

Erected 1997 by County of Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1634.

Location. 37° 37.727′ N, 77° 31.031′ W. Marker is in Laurel, Virginia, in Henrico County. It can be reached from Prince Henry Drive near East Parham Road. This panel is located outside of the Court Building at the Henrico Government Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico VA 23228, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Henrico County (here, next to this marker); The Courthouses in Richmond (here, next to this marker); The Courthouse Today (here, next to this marker); Laurel Historic District (approx. 1.1 miles away); Virginia Home for Boys (approx. 1.4 miles away); Bethlehem Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Skipwith Academy (approx. 2.2 miles away); American Legion Post 244 (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laurel.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Outer Defenses (was approx. 1.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. On the left is a sketch with the caption, "Historians believe the Varina Courthouse in the early 1800s was a simple brick structure."

On the right is map with the caption, "Detail of “Map of land between James and York Rivers,” 1781-1782, anonymous."

Also see . . . Henrico County History. (Submitted on January 14, 2011.)

Courthouse Interpretive Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 13, 2011

2. Courthouse Interpretive Plaza

Henrico County Courts Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 13, 2011

3. Henrico County Courts Building

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 806 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 14, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.