Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Last Confederate Capitol

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

1. Last Confederate Capitol Marker

Inscription. This, the former home of Major W.T. Sutherlin, is regarded as the last capitol of the Confederacy, April 3-10, 1865. Here President Davis stayed and here was held the last full cabinet meeting, Breckinridge alone being absent. The establishment of the Confederate government in Danville ended when the news of Lee's surrender arrived on April 10.

Erected 1939. (Marker Number Q 5-A.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 10, 1865.

Location. 36° 34.872′ N, 79° 24.037′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on Main Street east of Holbrook Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 975 Main Street, Danville VA 24541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically 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: The Sutherlin House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Last Capitol of the Confederacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Danville Attractions (within shouting distance of this marker); Sutherlin Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Anne Eliza Johns

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Pittsylvania County (within shouting distance of this marker); Halifax County, VA (within shouting distance of this marker); Caswell County, NC (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

Also see . . . Last Capitol of the Confederacy - Danville, Virginia. ExploreSouthernHistory.com's page on the Sutherlin Mansion (now the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History). (Submitted on December 7, 2015.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 10, 2016

2. Last Confederate Capitol Marker

In March, 2016, the marker was restored and moved approximately 15 feet closer to the fence line and roadway.

Sutherlin Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2013

3. Sutherlin Mansion

<i>"The Last Capitol of the Confederacy."</i> Danville, Va. image. Click for full size.

circa 1925

4. "The Last Capitol of the Confederacy." Danville, Va.

When Petersburg fell in the spring of 1865 and Robert E. Lee recommended the evacuation of Richmond, Danville was a logical choice for relocating the capital of the Confederacy. Despite the disaster that had befallen them, President Davis and his officials remained confident that Lee would find a way to prevail and that the war for Southern independence would continue. -- ExploreSouthernHistory.org, page for the Sutherlin Mansion

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,856 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 18, 2016, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on June 16, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on December 7, 2015.