Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 10/09/1991
NRHP Listing Date 08/18/1992
NRHP Reference Number 92001008
Chesterfield County’s courthouse square has been the location of the county seat since the county was formed in 1749. The site was chosen because of its situation near the county’s geographic center, and because it was at the intersection of five roads. The colonial courthouse was demolished in 1917 despite early preservation sentiment. The 1918 courthouse which replaced it was designed by J. T. Skinner of Petersburg, and built by the Vaughan Construction Co. of Shawsville. A competent essay in the Colonial Revival style, its general form, with its portico and octagonal cupola, recalls the colonial James City County Courthouse in Williamsburg. Also in the tree-shaded square is the 1828 clerk’s office, the 1889 clerk’s office, and 1892 jail. A replica of the 1749 courthouse, built here in 1976-77, houses the Chesterfield County Museum.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: June 29, 2021
