Old Appomattox Court House, Historical courthouse in Appomattox County, Virginia, US
The Old Appomattox Court House is a two-story brick structure with exterior stone staircases leading to second-floor porches and topped with a metal roof. The building was designed to serve as the county's administrative center and now functions as the main visitor hub for the national historical park.
The courthouse was built in 1846 to serve the county's judicial and administrative needs for decades. Fire destroyed the original structure in 1892, but it was later reconstructed to stand as it appears today.
The courthouse shows how judicial buildings served as community hubs in 19th-century America, hosting not just legal proceedings but also public gatherings and elections. Visitors can sense how central this space was to local life beyond its courtroom functions.
The site is freely accessible with clear signage guiding visitors through the different areas of the park. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable since exploring on foot is the best way to understand the grounds.
Despite its connection to the Lee-Grant surrender, the courthouse was actually closed during that historic meeting. The actual surrender took place in a nearby private home, a detail visitors often overlook.
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