Courthouse

Constructed between 1838 and 1840 in the Greek Revival style and designed by New York architect Calvin Pollard as the city’s Husting’s Courthouse, this building took its name from a British form of court system loosely in place in Virginia today and from a public space where political campaign speeches are made. Until the 20th Century, it housed the city’s administrative offices as well as a variety of courts, and many significant trials occurred here, including that of Underground Railroad conductor Captain William Bayliss in 1858. During the Siege of Petersburg, Confederate soldiers in the trenches used the Town Clock as a timepiece, while the sculpture of Lady Justice atop the tower remained in place and was constantly struck by Union shells. At 4:00 am on April 3, 1865, the First Michigan Sharpshooters lowered their flag from the clock tower, marking the end of the Siege of Petersburg and, effectively, the end of the Civil War. Today the building serves as Petersburg’s Circuit Court.

Petersburg, Virginia · United States