Buckingham Courthouse Historic District

The Buckingham Courthouse Historic District is an administrative area centered on a two-story courthouse with Greek Revival details and ten other structures on either side of U.S. Route 60. The collection includes former inns, a Presbyterian church, and a Masonic lodge among its buildings.

Thomas Jefferson designed the original courthouse in 1822 as a key government building for the county. A fire destroyed it in 1869, leading to construction of the replacement structure in 1873 that still stands today.

The community gathers at the courthouse and nearby buildings for local meetings and celebrations. The district reflects how civic life has centered around these structures across generations.

The district straddles U.S. Route 60, making it easy to access and view the historic buildings from the road. Walking through allows visitors to see all the structures and understand how they fit together as a coherent community center.

The courthouse displays Roman Revival features with a grand columned porch dating from the 1870s reconstruction. This architectural choice was unusual for a small rural courthouse and reflects the ambitions behind rebuilding after the fire.

Location: Virginia

GPS coordinates: 36.55140,-78.55190

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:44