Colonial Heights, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Lee at Violet Bank
Siege Headquarters
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This is the second house located on this site. Thomas Shore constructed the first house here in 1778; it burned in 1810. The present house, which Shore’s widow completed in 1815, resembled Richmond houses designed or influenced by noted architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe, as well as Alexander Parris, a New Englander who designed the Governor’s Mansion in Richmond. Violet Bank is noteworthy for its refined architectural features, including the three-part bays, intricate woodwork, and elaborate plaster ornamentation. The house served as the home of the Colonial Heights Post No. 284 of the American Legion from 1948 until 1959. It is now operated as a house museum.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 14.502′ N, 77° 24.312′ W. Marker was in Colonial Heights, Virginia. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Arlington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 303 Virginia Avenue, Colonial Heights VA 23834, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Lee at Violet Bank (here, next to this marker); Magnolia Acuminata (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Violet Bank (a few steps from this marker); Headquarters of Gen. R.E. Lee (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lee's Headquarters (about 400 feet away); Lafayette At Petersburg (about 400 feet away); Lafayette's Headquarters (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colonial Heights.
More about this marker. On the lower left is a photo of “George W. Custis Lee, Robert E. Lee, and Walter H. Taylor on the back porch of the Lee house in Richmond, April 1865” Courtesy Library of Congress
On the upper right is a sketch of “Lee at Violet Bank”, London Illustrated News
On the lower right is an illustration of “Violet Bank, early-20th-century postcard” Courtesy Chris Calkins, Petersburg National Battlefield
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Lee at Violet Bank".
Also see . . .
1. City of Colonial Heights. The history of Violet Bank. (Submitted on March 15, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Colonial Heights Recreation & Parks. Violet Bank Museum. (Submitted on March 15, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
3. Civil War Traveler. Colonial Heights. (Submitted on March 15, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,305 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on June 11, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.