Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 12/13/1988
NRHP Listing Date 08/18/1989
DHR's Virginia Board of Historic Resources easement
NRHP Reference Number 89001060
The Brentsville Courthouse is the fourth courthouse to serve Prince William County. It was built in 1820-22, along with the adjacent jail, following the decision to move the county seat from Dumfries to this more centralized location. The public function of the plain country Federal structure is signaled by its octagonal belfry. The county abandoned the building following Union occupation of the area in 1862. County records strewn across the courthouse floor to a depth of two feet were nearly all lost. The Brentsville Courthouse and Jail complex was reoccupied following the war and functioned until the county seat was moved to Manassas in 1893. The building was converted to a school and later a public meeting place. The Brentsville Courthouse and Jail became the charge of the Prince William County Park Authority in 1974, and was later leased to the Prince William County Historical Commission.
The Brentsville Courthouse and Jail are contributing buildings within the Brentsville Historic District, and they were listed in the registers under the Civil War Properties, Prince William County Multiple Property Documentation form.
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: February 13, 2023
