On Business U.S. 29 south of Lawless Creek Road (County Route 719).
The house to the east was Beavers Tavern, 1800–1840. This was the muster ground of the county militia and a popular stage station. John C. Calhoun Was a frequent visitor here. — — Map (db m104464) HM
On Martinsville Highway (Business U.S. 58) 0.3 miles east of Berry Hill Road (U.S. 311), on the right when traveling east.
Berry Hill is situated 5¼ miles to the south on the Dan River. The original portion of the main house was built in 1745 and there have been several additions. The property was used as a hospital for General Nathanael Greene's army during the spring . . . — — Map (db m66054) HM
On Callands Road (State Highway 57) at Sago Road (County Route 969), on the right when traveling west on Callands Road.
Pittsylvania was cut off from Halifax in 1767 and the courthouse was built here. In 1769 a town named Chatham was established here on lands of James Roberts. A few years later Samuel Calland opened a store and the town took his name. In 1777 Henry . . . — — Map (db m64657) HM
On Sago Road 0.5 miles north of Callands Road (Virginia Route 57), on the left when traveling north.
World War II
Korea
Vietnam
This memorial is dedicated to
those who have given the
supreme sacrifice to
their country
and
to honor all those from the
Callands community
who served their country.
On Sago Road 0.5 miles north of Callands Road (Virginia Route 57), on the left when traveling north.
Site of first County Seat of Pittsylvania County. The building that served as the debtor's prison,1767-1771, and later as the clerk's office, 1771-1777, remains. Nearby stands the debtor's gaol, built in 1773. It later served as Samuel Calland's . . . — — Map (db m66055) HM
On Sago Road 0.5 miles north of Callands Road (Virginia Route 57), on the right when traveling north.
You are facing what is believed to be the original courthouse of Pittsylvania County. Here, on January 26, 1775, county residents gathered to elect a Committee of Inspection (later redesignated Committee of Safety)— a momentous step toward . . . — — Map (db m299876) HM
Near Main Street (Business U.S. 29) north of Center Street, on the right when traveling north.
Bilhartz Hall munitions
plant stood on this site
1862 - 1864
Over 600 rifle components were forged
here for the Confederate army — — Map (db m299560) HM
On Main Street at Center Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Reported damaged.
When the Civil War erupted, the South seriously lacked sufficient quantity of modern weaponry. The Confederate government attempted to correct this deficiency by purchasing arms overseas. While this "cotton for cannon" trade resulted in the . . . — — Map (db m299704) HM
On Depot Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Depot Street.
I rejoice that America has resisted.
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
July 14, 1766
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, delivers a stunning speech to the British Parliament denouncing the 1765 Stamp Act . . . — — Map (db m294738) HM
Near Court Place at Whittle Street. Reported unreadable.
Beneath this bridge is the upper Cherrystone Spring. At the base of this hill is the lower Cherrystone Spring, the site of the Cherrystone, Meeting House community. In 1777 the new Virginia General Assembly divided Pittsylvania County to form Henry, . . . — — Map (db m299877) HM
On U.S. 29 0.4 miles north of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling south.
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 . . . — — Map (db m55732) HM
On South Main Street at Pruden Street, on the left when traveling north on South Main Street.
Last unchanged street of the original town of Competition (1807-1852) Dedicated as a historical landmark by Chatham First, Inc., Pittsylvania Historical Society and the Town of Chatham December 6, 2008 — — Map (db m251486) HM
On Main Street (Business U.S. 21) at Court Place, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
Here in March 1879, a federal marshal arrested James Coles, Pittsylvania County judge, on charges that he had violated the Civil Rights Act of 1875 by refusing to seat Black men on juries. Coles and the Commonwealth of Virginia petitioned the U.S. . . . — — Map (db m246666) HM
Near South Main Street at Pruden Street, on the left when traveling north.
This two story Greek Revival building is located at the top of the hill. It exhibits Jefferson’s influence. It has survived threats of war, storms, and fire to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the south. — — Map (db m251499) HM
Near South Main Street at Pruden Street, on the left when traveling north.
In 1767 the Virginia House of Burgesses divided Halifax County to create Pittsylvania County. They named it for William Pitt, First Earl of Chatham, who earned the gratitude of the colonists for his defense of America before Parliament in 1765. The . . . — — Map (db m251495) HM
Near South Main Street at Pruden Street, on the left when traveling north.
In 1816 the court ordered that a “new brick courthouse” be erected adjacent to the existing 1783 courthouse. This building would be 54’ long and 34’ wide, a 16’ x 8’ portico, and an 8’ wide gallery across the courtroom. This building would be 5’ . . . — — Map (db m251498) HM
On Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at Peach Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
The Rev. Robert G. Gilbert built Gilbert’s Restaurant here ca. 1945 as a café, store, gas station, and tourist home for Black patrons during Jim Crow segregation. He and his wife, Arzelia, ran the business until 1971, after which their son and . . . — — Map (db m307286) HM
On Depot Street at South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Depot Street.
Giles Gateway Park
Dedicated to the memory of Harvey Edmund Giles Jr.
Chatham Town Manager, September 2010 - December 2015
By Chatham First, Inc. and Town of Chatham
Long known as Bolanz Corner, this street corner was the gateway to . . . — — Map (db m294740) HM
On Military Drive at Hargrave Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on Military Drive.
One of the few private military academies in Virginia, Hargrave Military Academy was founded in 1909 by John Hunt Hargrave and the Rev. T. Ryland Sanford as Chatham Training School. It was chartered in 1911 and became affiliated with the Baptist . . . — — Map (db m64212) HM
In memory of
John White Easley
1911 - 1944
a cadet at H. M. A.
1925 - 1928
and other Hargrave cadets
who gave their lives
in World War II — — Map (db m299570) WM
On Spring Garden Road 0.4 miles south of Halifax Road (Virginia Route 57), on the right when traveling south.
One half mile west is the grave of Elder John Weatherford (1740?-1833) Baptist preacher for 70 years and early advocate of religious liberty. Jailed five months in Chesterfield in 1773 for unlicensed preaching, his release was secured by Patrick . . . — — Map (db m66058) HM
On U.S. 29 Bypass, on the right when traveling north.
Some miles northeast is the site of Markham, where was born Rachel Donelson, wife of President Andrew Jackson, 1767. Her father, John Donelson, leaving Virginia, became one of the first settlers of Tennessee. Fort Donelson was named for him. — — Map (db m20775) HM
Old Clerk's Office
Chatham
has been registered as a
Virginia
Historic
Landmark
pursuant to the authority vested in the
Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission
Act of 1966 — — Map (db m299620) HM
On U.S. 29 Bypass, on the right when traveling north.
Nearby to the east once stood the community
of Peytonsburg a part of Halifax County when
the county was formed in 1752. Peytonsburg
was incorporated as a town in 1759 by the Virginia
General Assembly and became part of Pittsylvania
County in . . . — — Map (db m20774) HM
On North Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at Court Place, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street.
1861 Virginia 1865
Confederate Dead
We crown the heroes of the past
with the laurel wreath of memory
Go tell the listening worlds afar
of those who died for truth and right
In memory of
Co. "I" 53rd VA. Regiment . . . — — Map (db m66094) WM
On Main Street at Bank Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
Pittsylvania
County Court House
has been designated a
National
Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance
in commemorating the history of the United States of America
1987
National Park . . . — — Map (db m294736) HM
Near Court Place at Whittle Street, on the right when traveling south.
Tobacco farming and the curing of tobacco dominated Pittsylvania County's economy from its chartering in 1707 until the 1980's. Local farmers planted thousands of acres of Virginia's world famous and coveted bright leaf tobacco. Barns such as this . . . — — Map (db m299621) HM
Dedicated to
the men and women of
Pittsylvania County, Virginia
who have served
their country in the
armed forces of
the United States — — Map (db m299562) WM
1941 - 1945
This tablet commemorates the men of Pittsylvania County who lost their lives in World War II
Adams, Oscar R.•
Adams, Billy M.•
Anderson, Donald•
Anderson, Harold•
Anderson, Ted •
Archer, John Walter, Jr.•
Arnn, Bernard . . . — — Map (db m299803) WM
On Main Street at Court Place, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
This Greek revival building was erected in 1853 as the third court house of Pittsylvania County. The county, formed in 1767, and the town of Chatham were named for William Pitt, First Earl of Chatham. The present court house replaced a structure . . . — — Map (db m64656) HM
On South Main Street (Business U.S. 29) at Franklin Place, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
Here stands Morea, the home of Lt. Col. Rawley W. Martin (1835-1912), a physician who served with Pittsylvania County soldiers during the Civil War in the 53d Virginia Infantry Regiment of Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead's brigade. At Gettysburg, Pa., . . . — — Map (db m66057) HM
In memory of
PFC. Richard A. Potter
Class of '38, valiant soldier
whose devotion to duty at Clark
Field, Luzon, December 8, 1941, won
him distinction --- whose heroic death
in the South China Sea, October 24th, 1944,
made him . . . — — Map (db m299573) WM
Near South Main Street at Pruden Street, on the left when traveling north.
Henry County was formed from Pittsylvania County in 1778. Officials decided to move the courthouse to a new location. This was at Cherrystone Meeting House Spring. Today that site is at the bottom of Depot Street northward near the railroad tracks. . . . — — Map (db m251496) HM
Near J R Hill Memorial Drive west of Military Drive, on the right when traveling west.
In 1995 the Hargrave Board of Trustees set out to design and build not just an aquatics center, but the "fastest pool on the East Coast." The Academy's Chairman of the Board at that time, Ned Johnson, led this effort compelled by his experience . . . — — Map (db m299574) HM
Near South Main Street at Pruden Street, on the left when traveling north.
By 1783 the Cherrystone Meeting Courthouse was too small. Officials built a two story wood frame courthouse further up the hill at Higher Spring. The site also included a prison, stocks, and a pillory. The site today is approximately adjacent to . . . — — Map (db m251497) HM
On U.S. 29 near Dry Fork Road (County Route 718), on the right when traveling south.
By the latter decades of the 19th century, bright-leaf tobacco harvested across Southside Virginia
was typically cured in hand-hewn log barns outfitted with wood-burning stoves. Inside these
barns, tobacco leaves were hung from sticks that
rested . . . — — Map (db m104462) HM
On Main Street (Business U.S. 29) just north of Carrie Lane, on the right when traveling north.
The Franklin and Pittsylvania Railroad was chartered on or about March 12, 1878 as a joint venture with Franklin County, Washington City RR, VA Midland RR, and the Great Southern RR. The tracks ran a distance of 36.8 miles from Rocky Mount, VA to . . . — — Map (db m251856) HM
On East Gretna Road (Virginia Route 40) at Hickeys Road, on the right when traveling east on East Gretna Road. Reported missing.
Hickey’s Road, first laid off by court order in 1749, followed this general path. Named after John Hickey, a merchant who operated a store at its western limits and peddled his wares along its length, the road stretched more than 100 miles from . . . — — Map (db m66059) HM
On Vaden Drive (Virginia Route 40) 0.1 miles west of Fitzgerald Street, on the right when traveling west.
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative was charted March 1, 1938, by a group of Mecklenburg County residents. The first office was located in Boynton, Virginia, The group's state purpose was "To advance the position of agriculture to enrich the life of . . . — — Map (db m165420) HM
On U.S. 29 at U.S. BUS 29, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 29.
Located three and one half miles south through Gretna, this fully restored 18th century building is believed to be the only historic building in Virginia with a second story overhang or jetties. It is listed on the National Register of Historic . . . — — Map (db m165419) HM
On Main Street (Business U.S. 29) south of West Hurt Road, on the left when traveling south.
The house on the hill three hundred yards to the west was the home of Captain Benjamin Clement, who was one of the first makers of gunpowder in Virginia, 1775. The land grant was made in 1741. — — Map (db m104437) HM
On Main Street (Business U.S. 29) 0.2 miles north of West Hurt Road (County Road 924), on the left when traveling north.
Although several houses were near U.S. Business 29's Staunton River crossing in the early nineteenth century, the Town of Hurt did not become a commercial center until after the Civil War. “Major” John L. Hurt, regionally famous for making . . . — — Map (db m251938) HM
On Main Street (Business U.S. 29) 0.2 miles north of West Hurt Road (County Road 924), on the left when traveling north.
Pittsylvania County Area 1,015 Square Miles. Formed in 1766 from Halifax, and named for William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, British Statesman. This is the largest county of Virginia. The home of Claude A. Swanson, Governor of . . . — — Map (db m247285) HM
Welcome to Wayside Park, a 50 acre natural area featuring Sycamore Creek, mature forests, open fields, historic structures, and wonderful park amenities.
Wayside Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1935 as a recreation . . . — — Map (db m299542) HM
Welcome to Wayside Park, a 50 acre natural area featuring Sycamore Creek, mature forests, open fields, historic structures, and wonderful park amenities.
Wayside Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1935 as a recreation . . . — — Map (db m299543) HM
Welcome to Wayside Park, a 50 acre natural area featuring Sycamore Creek, mature forests, open fields, historic structures, and wonderful park amenities.
Wayside Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1935 as a recreation . . . — — Map (db m299544) HM
On Old Richmond Road (Virginia Route 360) at Slatesville Road (County Road 701), on the left when traveling west on Old Richmond Road.
At this intersection lies a rare example of an early Virginia road marker. A Virginia statute of 1738 required that all crossroads be marked by a stone or wooden post inscribed with the name of the most-noted place to which each of the adjoining . . . — — Map (db m304863) HM
On Ringgold Depot Lane at Ringgold Church Road, on the left when traveling west on Ringgold Depot Lane.
The Ringgold railroad station was completed in 1855. Train traffic started in 1856. Robert Polluk was the first station agent. Confederate soldiers from North and South Carolina traveled the Danville - Ringgold railroad to battles farther north. In . . . — — Map (db m311310) HM
On Ringgold Depot Road at Ringgold Church Road, on the left when traveling west on Ringgold Depot Road.
The route of the Richmond and Danville Railroad began as a long-delayed dream for Whitmell P. Tunstall, a Pittsylvania County native. This attorney first proposed the construction of this line in 1838. It took almost a decade before Tunstall . . . — — Map (db m311312) HM
On Ford Road (County Route 908) 1.7 miles north of Yorkshire Road (County Route 777), on the right when traveling west.
Appalachian Power Company constructed Smith Mountain and Leesville Dams on the Roanoke River between 1960 and 1963 to generate hydroelectric energy, Between the dams, the river rose to form 3,400-acre Leesville Lake. West of Smith Mountain Dam, . . . — — Map (db m104452) HM
On Kerns Church Road 0.1 miles south of Kerns Mill Road, on the left when traveling north. Reported damaged.
The route of the Richmond and Danville Railroad began as a long-delayed dream for Whitmell P. Tunstall, a Pittsylvania County native. This attorney first proposed the construction of this line in 1838. It took almost a decade before Tunstall . . . — — Map (db m311316) HM
On U.S. 29 0.2 miles south of Tight Squeeze Road, on the right when traveling north.
One mile east stands Belle Grove, the home of Whitmell Pugh Tunstall (1810-1854). Educated at Danville Academy and the University of North Carolina, Tunstall was admitted to the bar in 1832. He served in the House of Delegates (1836-1841; 1845-1848) . . . — — Map (db m55730) HM
On Tight Squeeze Road at Samuel Harris Lane, on the right when traveling west on Tight Squeeze Road.
Sheriff; Justice County Court; Colonel Militia; Commander Fort Mayo; Member House of Burgesses; Warden of Antrim Parrish. Became a Baptist in 1758.
Early advocate of church & state
(reverse)
This church is named in memory of . . . — — Map (db m302192) HM
On Whitmell School Road (County Route 750) at Sunset Drive (County Route 703), on the left when traveling south on Whitmell School Road.
Founded in 1878 as a two- room school and
named for state senator Whitmell P. Tunstall,
in 1918 the Whitmell Farm-Life School became
the first rural consolidated school in
Pittsylvania County. Sarah Archie Swanson
Beverley, who between 1916 and . . . — — Map (db m104455) HM
