Boydton in Mecklenburg County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Boydton
County Seat of Mecklenburg
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010
1. Boydton Marker
Mecklenburg County was established March 1, 1765, and named for George III’s consort, Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The first court met on March 11, 1765, at the home of Mr. Richard Swepson in the new county seat, Mecklenburg Courthouse. In 1812, the town was chartered as Boyd Town when Alexander Boyd, Jr. conveyed fifty acres for that purpose. Streets were laid off and named for heroes of the wars with England. The beautiful Greek Revival courthouse was built between 1838-1842 by Messrs. James T. Whitice and William A. Howard, builders of Randolph Macon College, just west of Boydton. It is the only antebellum courthouse in Virginia with a hexastyle (six columns) portico employing the Roman Ionic order and is the Virginia courthouse closest in style to Jefferson’s capitol building in Richmond.
Erected by Town of Boydton, Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is March 1, 1874.
Location. 36° 40.041′ N, 78° 23.292′ W. Marker is in Boydton, Virginia, in Mecklenburg County. Marker is at the intersection of Madison Street (Business U.S. 58) and Washington Street (Virginia Route 92), on the left when traveling
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Boyd Tavern (a few steps from this marker); The Boydton LOVEwork (a few steps from this marker); Monument to Confederate Soldiers of Mecklenburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Esso Gas Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Boydton Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boydton and Petersburg Plank Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Boyd Tavern (approx. 0.4 miles away); Boydton Academic and Bible Institute (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boydton.
More about this marker. On the upper center is a photo of "Mecklenburg Courthouse in Boydton, VA." and on the lower center is a "You Are Here" map of Boydton.
On the right panel are three images carrying the captions:
(top)"‘Sir Archie’ sired some of the great racing champions including John Randolph’s prize stallion ‘Roanoke’. Randolph forecast the decline of Virginia and Southside as the cradle of racing champions."
(middle)"Ps class Pacific No. 1227 pulls Train No. 1 away from Boydton in May 1937 on its westbound run to Danville, VA. Operating on a local
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010
2. Boydton Map
(bottom)"Looking west on HWY 58 toward the town hall (with cupola). The town’s water tower can be seen above. Circa 1945."
Also see . . . Boydton, Virginia. (Submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010
3. Madison Street
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010
4. Boydton Courthouse (undergoing renovation)
National Register of Historic Places
5. Mecklenburg County Courthouse
Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 908 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on May 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
