Washington County Courthouse, Abingdon, VA (2)
**Abingdon Historic District** - National Register of Historic Places Ref # 70000831, date listed 19700226
Both sides of Main St. between Cummings and Deadmore Sts.
Abingdon, VA (Washington County)
Abingdon's Main Street presents a fine collection of nineteenth-century domestic and commercial buildings, the importance of which is enhanced by the town's location in Southwest Virginia, an area that remined frontier long after the town's founding in 1778. The eight-and-one half block section of Main Street which constitutes the preservation zone covers two ridges with rather steep slopes between. Lined along these hilly streets are fine Federalist and nineteenth-century revival designs.
Originally called Wolf Hills and later, named Black's Fort in honor of the defence erected to protect the settlers from Indian attacks, the town of Abingdon was officially established in 1778 when 120 acres were given for that purpose. By 1793 the town had prospered and become the clearing house for all mail sent to Southwest Virginia. It had also served as the county seat of Washington County when the first court met there in 1777. (1)
The original courthouse was burned during the Civil War. The current building was erected (1868) on the original site and houses the Circuit Court, the Juvenile Court and the General District Court of Washington County. Of special note is the Tiffany stained glass window above the courthouse entrance. It was dedicated on July 4, 1919, to honor those who served in World War I. (2)
References (1) NRHP Nomination Form www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/140-0037_Abi...
(2) Abingdon VA visitabingdonvirginia.com/directory/washington-county-cou...
Washington County Courthouse, Abingdon, VA (2)
**Abingdon Historic District** - National Register of Historic Places Ref # 70000831, date listed 19700226
Both sides of Main St. between Cummings and Deadmore Sts.
Abingdon, VA (Washington County)
Abingdon's Main Street presents a fine collection of nineteenth-century domestic and commercial buildings, the importance of which is enhanced by the town's location in Southwest Virginia, an area that remined frontier long after the town's founding in 1778. The eight-and-one half block section of Main Street which constitutes the preservation zone covers two ridges with rather steep slopes between. Lined along these hilly streets are fine Federalist and nineteenth-century revival designs.
Originally called Wolf Hills and later, named Black's Fort in honor of the defence erected to protect the settlers from Indian attacks, the town of Abingdon was officially established in 1778 when 120 acres were given for that purpose. By 1793 the town had prospered and become the clearing house for all mail sent to Southwest Virginia. It had also served as the county seat of Washington County when the first court met there in 1777. (1)
The original courthouse was burned during the Civil War. The current building was erected (1868) on the original site and houses the Circuit Court, the Juvenile Court and the General District Court of Washington County. Of special note is the Tiffany stained glass window above the courthouse entrance. It was dedicated on July 4, 1919, to honor those who served in World War I. (2)
References (1) NRHP Nomination Form www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/140-0037_Abi...
(2) Abingdon VA visitabingdonvirginia.com/directory/washington-county-cou...