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

Clover Hill Tavern

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007

1. Clover Hill Tavern

Inscription. Built in 1819, this was the first building in what would become the village of Appomattox Court House. The Clover Hill Tavern served travelers along the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road. For several decades, it offered the village’s only restaurant, only overnight lodging, and only bar. Its presence helped prompt the Virginia legislature to locate the Appomattox County seat here. In 1846, the courthouse was built across the street.

By 1865, the tavern had come on hard times – a “bare and cheerless place,” according to one Union general. It was one of only two buildings in town used by the Federal army during the surrender process. Here, on the evening of April 10, 1865, Union soldiers set up printing presses and started producing paroles for the surrendered Confederates. The Federals printed more than 30,000 parole documents here.

Erected by Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 10, 1865.

Location. 37° 22.673′ N, 78° 47.757′ W.

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Marker is in Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It can be reached from National Park Drive (State Highway 24), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in Appomattox Court House National Historical Park across from the court house/Visitors Center. Located along the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road, which is now a walking path. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 National Park Dr, Appomattox VA 24522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central 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 walking distance of this marker: Clover Hill Tavern Slave Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); McLean House

Clover Hill Tavern with Marker on the Fence to the Right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010

2. Clover Hill Tavern with Marker on the Fence to the Right

(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Uncovering History (about 400 feet away); Lafayette W. Meeks (about 500 feet away); The Isbell House (about 500 feet away); Anticipating Freedom (about 500 feet away); Appomattox Court House (about 600 feet away); The Kelley Family (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.

Other markers no longer nearby. County Jail (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The McLean House (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); April 1865 (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The top of the marker features a photograph with the caption The tavern as it appeared in 1865. The wing to the left housed the dining room, the structure to the right the bar. Both no longer stand.

Also see . . . Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. (Submitted on March 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 16, 2017

3. Clover Hill Tavern

The marker can be seen at the far left of the fence.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007

4. Clover Hill Tavern

Tavern Kitchen image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010

5. Tavern Kitchen

The tavern's kitchen now serves as the park bookstore. It stands to the northwest of the tavern.

Clover Hill Tavern Guesthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010

6. Clover Hill Tavern Guesthouse

It is not open to the public.

Inside the Clover Hill Tavern image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007

7. Inside the Clover Hill Tavern

After the surrender, printing presses were set up inside the Clover Hill Tavern. These were used to produce paroles for the Confederates soldiers.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007

8. Inside the Clover Hill Tavern

More printing equipment in the Clover Hill Tavern.

Inside Clover Hill Tavern image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 16, 2017

9. Inside Clover Hill Tavern

Parole passes and other paperwork supplied to Confederate soldiers following the surrender.

Appomattox County Court House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007

10. Appomattox County Court House

The Clover Hill Tavern is located in the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, across from the court house/Visitors Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,763 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on April 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on March 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6. submitted on April 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7, 8. submitted on March 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 9. submitted on March 25, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 10. submitted on March 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.