Richmond's first Henrico Courthouse, a colonial-style brick structure built in 1752 in the middle of 22nd and East Main streets, was the site where the Declaration of Independence was first read publicly from its steps on August 5, 1776. By 1824 it needed repair, and a committee chose to rebuild it completely. The new courthouse opened in November 1825 and stood in the middle of 22nd Street like the earlier building. It was described as a one-story brick building measuring 70 by 46 feet, with a gallery around the courtroom and a Doric portico with four columns. In 1843 it was dismantled and rebuilt on the corner of 22nd and East Main streets, opening the road to traffic. That structure was damaged during the Civil War in the evacuation fire of April 1865. In 1896 it was replaced by a new courthouse designed to house all of the county's offices. Later, annexation by the City of Richmond expanded beyond the courthouse boundaries, making it necessary to declare the courthouse parcel part of Henrico in order to maintain county jurisdiction.
