The Early Courthouses in Varina
Establishment of Justice
During the 1620s, Henrico court meetings were referred to as the Court of Upper Charles City. After the establishment of the county in 1634, the gentlemen justices of Henrico assembled for their monthly sessions either at the home of one of their members or at a local meeting place such as a tavern or church. By 1640, the Henrico Court was meeting in Varina, and in 1680, Varina “where the court house is” was designated a town by the General Assembly. The first courthouse was described as a wood frame structure built on blocks which underwent major repairs in 1688. Sometime between 1688 and 1749, the next building was erected. Henrico courthouses remained at or near the same site just east of Dutch Gap until 1752 when the court moved to the new town of Richmond.
Marker can be reached from Prince Henry Drive near East Parham Road.
Courtesy hmdb.org
