Yesterday I shared pictures of the historic courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia. It is over an hour from where I live now, but I grew up in Fairfax County.
This Civil War Trails marker stands in front of the courthouse.
“If you had been here on a court day before 1861, you would have witnessed all levels of Virginia society. Crowds of men and women gathered at the courthouse as court justices negotiated county business and settled debts between all classes, wealthy and poor alike. Residents charged with crimes were brought before juries for hearings. Free African Americans registered with the court clerk to carry papers proving their freedom, while enslaved men, women, and children were bought and sold to satisfy debts, sometimes in front of the courthouse itself.”
“It was in this climate that on May 23, 1861, Fairfax County men voted to ratify the Ordinance of Secession. One week later, on June 1, the first engagement on Virginia soil occurred here when Company B, 2nd U.S. Cavalry attacked Confederate units nearby. Early in July, the U.S. flag was raised over the courthouse, then replaced with the Confederate flag on July 22, as Southerners reoccupied the grounds.”
(See HMDB for more)
Newer brick buildings have been added on to the old courthouse. I walked around to the other side.
I imagine the fallout shelter sign has been there since the Cold War.
I found it easiest to park across the street.
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Glad that court house survived the war intact.
ReplyDelete...I like to find old Fallout Shelter signs!
ReplyDeleteThat was the first Civil War. Is the second one coming?
ReplyDeleteThat never worried me until the last few years. I can’t help thinking a certain foreign power would love to stir one up here.
DeleteBeautiful inside and out. And a lot of history too.
ReplyDelete