Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Washington County Courthouse

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011

1. Washington County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Three earlier courthouses stood on this site, the first constructed about 1800. The present Washington County courthouse was completed in 1868, replacing the 1850 building burned by a Union soldier in Dec. 1864. The only new courthouse built in Virginia during Reconstruction, it features four Greek Doric columns and an Italianate cornice and tower. A Civil War monument located in the courtyard was unveiled on 10 May 1907 to commemorate the men who served from Washington County. Dedicated on 4 July 1919, a Tiffany stained-glass window above the courthouse entranceway honors those who served in World War I.

Erected 2000 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-55.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1907.

Location. 36° 42.738′ N, 81° 58.207′ W. Marker is in Abingdon, Virginia, in Washington County. It is on East Main Street (U.S. 11) west of Court Street NE. The marker is located on the front lawn of the Washington County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 191 East Main Street, Abingdon VA 24210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Tri-Cities Area,

in Southwest Virginia,

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: Abingdon Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Col. James White House (within shouting distance of this marker); Home of William King (within shouting distance of this marker); Abingdon Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Walnut Grove (within shouting distance of this marker); Abingdon House (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia House (within shouting distance of this marker); Russell House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abingdon.

Wide view of the Washington County Courthouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011

2. Wide view of the Washington County Courthouse and Marker

Former Washington County Confederate Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

3. Former Washington County Confederate Monument

1906 bronze by Frederick William Sievers (1872–1966) stands 8 feet high on an 11 foot base with a 5 foot high relief plaque on the front of the granite base and a 6 foot plaque on the rear. Monument was dedicated in 1907 and removed in 2022.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

4. Former Washington County Confederate Monument

The inscription on the base reads “1861–1865. To the Confederate soldiers of Washington County Virginia. Erected May 30, 1907” It was removed April 2, 2022.

Former Washington County Confederate Monument Front Relief image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

5. Former Washington County Confederate Monument Front Relief

“Pro Patria” — For their country. “Fortiter et Recte” — With strength and right. Shield reads “Virginia” with the state seal “Sic Semper Tyrannis” — Thus always to tyrants.

Former Washington County Confederate Monument Rear Relief image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

6. Former Washington County Confederate Monument Rear Relief

“Amor Patriæ” — Love of country. Inscribed on the granite above relief, “Our mothers, wives, daughters and sisters.”

The World War I Tiffany Studio stained-glass Memorial Windows image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011

7. The World War I Tiffany Studio stained-glass Memorial Windows

Dedicated: To the Men and Women of Washington County Who Answered the Call of Duty in the Way of Right and Liberty

Washington County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

8. Washington County Courthouse

Sign on Courthouse Wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 29, 2011

9. Sign on Courthouse Wall

“Built in 1869 to replace the courthouse of 1850 built on this site. Burned during the Stoneman Raid – Dec. 15, 1964. (15)” You can see this sign on the previous photograph, on the front wall all the way to the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,246 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 20, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 7. submitted on July 24, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 8, 9. submitted on August 20, 2011, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Better picture of the Tiffany Studio windows • Can you help?