Chatham in Pittsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Claude A. Swanson

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, May 27, 2012

1. Claude A. Swanson Marker

Inscription. A native of Pittsylvania County, Claude Augustus Swanson (1862-1939), practiced law in Chatham until he won election to Congress in 1892. He served seven terms in the House of Representatives (1893-1906); was governor of Virginia (1906-1910) and United States senator (1910-1933); and served as secretary of the navy under President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1939). As governor, Swanson persuaded the General Assembly to reform the public school system, improve rural roads, and create the position of state health commissioner. His last home in the county was at nearby Eldon.

Erected 1992 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number L-49.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 36° 51.27′ N, 79° 23.82′ W. Marker is in Chatham, Virginia, in Pittsylvania County. It is on U.S. 29 0.4 miles north of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chatham VA 24531, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Virginia,

specifically in the Piedmont,

and in Southside Virginia.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Richard A. Potter Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Hargrave World War II Memorial

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(approx. 1.6 miles away); Hargrave Military Academy (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Onishi Davenport Aquatics Center (approx. 1.6 miles away); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); Bilhartz Hall Munitions Plant (approx. 1.9 miles away); Bilhartz, Hall & Co. (approx. 1.9 miles away); Pittsylvania County Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, May 27, 2012

2. Claude A. Swanson Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 761 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 28, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.