Courtland, Virginia

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Courtland is an incorporated town in Southampton County, Virginia, United States. It is the county seat of Southampton County.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":7">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Native Americans of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway), and Meherrin tribes were the first inhabitants of the land that is now Courtland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Virginia's leaders prohibited Europeans from settling the area that is Courtland during the first 100 years of the colony.<ref name=":15">Lewes, David and Hanbury, Mary Ruffin. (November 2019) "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 8.35. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref> The Articles of Peace signed between the colony and the natives in 1677 set aside Template:Convert for use by Nottoway.<ref name=":15" /> As a result, the Nottoway established several settlements along the banks of the Nottoway River near what is now Courtland in the late 17th century.<ref name=":15" /> As late as 1821, the Nottoways maintained their traditional social order with a female leader.<ref name=":15" />

In 1749, the European settlers formed Southampton County from Isle of Wight County, using the Blackwater River as the dividing line.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite web</ref> In 1751, the county built a clerk's office, pillory, and prison on the eastern bank of the Nottoway River in the geographic center of Southampton.<ref name=":11">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":8" /> A courthouse was added to the complex in 1752.<ref name=":8" />

A town grew around the courthouse and became a courthouse village and minor market center.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":12">Template:Cite web</ref> The courthouse burned in 1767 and was replaced in 1768.<ref name=":16">Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 8.36-38. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref> The town was incorporated as the Town Jerusalem by the Virginia General Assembly in 1791.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> Jerusalem was Southampton County's only town through the 18th century.<ref name=":16" /> Eight trustees divided the town's ten acres (40,000 m2) into half-acre lots alongside the courthouse on land owned by Joseph Scott and William Scott.<ref name=":16" /> The trustees created two streets—Main Street and the eastern end of Court Street.<ref name=":16" /> The trustees auctioned the lots with the requirement of adding a building within five years.<ref name=":16" />

Henry Adams and Thomas Hunts purchased Lot 18 and built a house in 1796; they applied for a license to operate an ordinary there in 1797.<ref name=":16" /> Located across Main Street from the courthouse, the tavern offered a good view of the executions across the street, behind the jail's fence.<ref name=":16" /> A new courthouse was built in 1798.<ref name=":16" />

Samuel Kello Jr., one of the original eight trustees and the Southampton County clerk of court, purchased the tavern in 1799. In 1828, he sold the ordinary to Henry Vaughan.<ref name=":16" /> James Rochelle replaced Kello as clerk of court and moved into and expanded a house built in 1811 by his father-in-law on Lots 14 and 15, across Main Street from the courthouse. There in the 1839s, Rochelle taught law to his nephew, George H. Thomas, before Thomas entered the United States Military Academy and became a Union General during the Civil War.<ref name=":16" /> In 1830, the Jerusalem Jockey Club formed and coordinated racing seasons in May and November.<ref name=":16" />

In August 1831, the town became well known nationally as the site of the trials and subsequent executions of Nat Turner and some of his cohorts who had planned a major slave rebellion in Southampton County.<ref name=":16" /> During the rebellion, the county's planters sought refuge in Jerusalem and the state militia used Vaughn's tavern as its base of operation.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":17">Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 8.42. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref> However, a Richmond newspaper criticized Vaughn for charging the state $800 for militia expenses.<ref name=":17" /> Three years after the rebellion, the county's leaders approved the construction of a new brick courthouse.<ref name=":17" /> Jeremiah Cobb and Clement Rochell constructed the courthouse for $2,500.34.<ref name=":17" />

In 1835, Martin's Gazetteer of Virginia said the town included "25 houses, four stores, a saddlery, a carriage maker, two hotels, a masonic hall, and two houses of public entertainment (taverns)."<ref name=":16" /> Despite its modest population of 175 people, the town became crowded when the court was in session.<ref name=":16" />

MahonesTavern

In 1839, Vaughn sold his tavern to Fielding J. Mahone, giving it the name Mahone's Tavern.<ref name=":17" /> Mahone purchased the adjacent Hart Tavern and connected the two with a breezeway.<ref name=":17" /> Mahone's teenage son moved to Jerusalem with the family. He is better known as Confederate Major General William Mahone who served in the Virginia House of Delegates, as Petersburg mayor, and as a U.S. Senator.<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":17" />

In 1853, the town was connected to Petersburg via the Jerusalem Plank Road, essentially today's Virginia State Route 35.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":18">Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 8.43. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref> The Nottoway River also was a mode of transportation.<ref name=":11" /> The town was accessed from the south by a wooden bridge over the Nottoway that led to Rochelle Stree, just south of the courthouse.<ref name=":11" />

The town was not the site of any military conflicts during the Civil War; however, troops passed through Jerusalem during the Siege of Suffolk and used Mahone's Tavern and the Baptist church as temporary hospitals.<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":18" /> Deceased soldiers were buried in a graveyard behind the church.<ref name=":18" /><ref name=":14" /> After the Civil War, the town stagnated, probably due to the loss of enslaved labor in the surrounding area.<ref name=":18" /> However, nearly freed African Americans started participating in the political process after gaining the right to vote.<ref name=":20">Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 8.44-45. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref> A crowd of African Americans assembled in the town on June 21, 1867, for a speech by Thomas Jefferson Pretlow, who twice served as one of the county's representatives in the Virginia House of Delegates.<ref name=":20" />

Josephine Howard acquired Mahone's Tavern in 1869, renaming it "Howard's Hotel".<ref name=":20" /> It continued to host many social gatherings, including a new tradition of a medieval-style tournament that featured colorful costumes, jousting on horseback, and a dinner and dance at the hotel.<ref name=":20" />

Jerusalem became a stop on the Atlantic and Danville Railway in 1888, allowing residents to ride the train to Petersburg and Norfolk for business and shopping.<ref name=":9">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":11" /> The railroad led to rapid growth and change in the town.<ref name=":20" /> The town petitioned the state to change its name to Courland.<ref name=":0" /> Postmistress Fannie Barnett suggested the name change after town residents were teased in Norfolk as being "those Arabs from Jerusalem".<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":20" /> The General Assembly charted Courtland in 1888; this legislation expanded the town boundary and defined a new town government with an elected mayor and a council of six who could issue business licenses and levy local taxes.<ref name=":20" />

With the railroad, Courtland became a center for processing and warehousing agricultural produce such as peanuts and cotton from the surrounding county.<ref name=":20" /> The north–south oriented railroad was built on land owned by the Kindred family who divided their Template:Convert tract into lots near the railroad.<ref name=":20" /> New warehouses were built adjacent to the tracks as early as 1888 and were available for lease to local farmers and businesses.<ref name=":20" /> The post office was relocated beside the railroad.<ref name=":20" /> The bridge across the Nottoway was moved away from the center of town in the late 19th century, aligning with the existing bridge on U.S. Route 58 Business that parallels the railroad tracks.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":20" /> The Birdsong Storage Company began a peanut milling plant in Courtland at the turn of the 20th century.<ref name=":20" /> A fertilizer plant opened alongside the railroad.<ref name=":11" />

In 1928 and 1929, the Courtland Rosenwald School was built on the north side of Courtland for $4,000.<ref name=":13">Template:Cite web</ref> The Rosenwald Fund donated $500, the county contributed $2,500, and the town's African American community raised $1,00.<ref name=":13" /> Courtland experienced two large fires in 1934 and 1935, damaging many historic structures and resulting in new buildings being added to the downtown commercial district.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":21">Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 8.47. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref> The Southampton County Training School opened outside of Courtland in 1937, providing the first access to grades 8 through 12 for African Americans in the county.<ref name=":22">Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 8.48. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref> (Its name was changed to Riverview High School in 1963).<ref name=":22" />

In 1947, the Hancock Peanut Company opened a processing facility outside town and employed 77 people; its founder invented the peanut shelling machine in 1944.<ref name=":21" /> However, the railroad service ended after the 1970s, and the railroad depot was demolished.<ref>Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 8.50. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref>

Geography

Courtland is located at Template:Coord (36.715702, -77.066063).<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> The town is the geographic center of Southampton County and the north shore of the Nottoway River that flows northwest to southeast.<ref name=":11" /> Courtland is located around the intersection of U.S. Route 58 Business (Main Street), which runs roughly north–south, and U.S. Route 58 (Meherrin Road), which intersects from the west.

Courtland is in the Tidewater region with flat, sandy lands.<ref name=":11" /> East of Courtland is the swampy, forested river margin of the Nottoway River. The area surrounding the town consists of agricultural fields and scattered woodlands and swamps.<ref name=":11" />

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.

Template:US Census population

Demographics

In 2020, the population of Courland was 1,679 people.<ref name=":24">Template:Cite web</ref> Its racial makeup was 52% White, 41.2% African American, 4.41% from two or more races, 0.119% Asian, and other non-Hispanic 0.357%.<ref name=":24" /> Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91%.<ref name=":24" />

At the 2000 Census, the town's population was 1,270 people, with 460 households and 300 families. The population density was 1,373.2 people per square mile (533.0/km2). There were 498 housing units at an average density of 538.5 per square mile (209.0/km2). Its racial makeup was 52.28% White, 47.01% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.08% Asian, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24%.<ref name="GR2" />

Of the 460 households, 33.9% had children under the age of eighteen years living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 20.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 32.6% of households were one person, and 17.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35, and the average family size was 2.96.

The age distribution was 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

Economy

Courtland is historically a town driven by the county's agriculture, especially cotton, peanuts, tobacco, and the production of hams.<ref name=":8" /> Peanuts and soybeans became the chief cash crops in the second half of the 20th century.<ref name=":8" /> The Hancock Peanut Company continues to operate as part of the larger Severn Peanut Company.<ref name=":21" /> Belmont Peanuts, Ferdies/The Peanut Patch, and Parkers Peanuts are some of the other peanut processors in Courtland.<ref name=":10">Template:Cite web</ref> These businesses are part of the Peanut Trail, an agrotourism venture.<ref name=":10" /> There is also an active fertilizer factory in Courtland.<ref name=":11" />

In 2020, the median household income was $50,529, with 17.6% living below the poverty line.<ref name=":24" /> Males had a median income of $50,000 versus $22,031 for females.<ref name=":24" /> The median property value was $187,200 with 53.3% of Courtland's residents owning their own home.<ref name=":24" />

In the 2000 census, the median household income was $31,750, and the median family income was $43,229. Males had a median income of $34,464 versus $20,714 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,474. About 19.2% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.6% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those aged 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Arts facilities and museums

Rochelle-Prince House

Festivals and events

The Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe holds its annual Native American Revival in September.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref> For more than thirty years, the tribe has held its annual Corn Harvest Powwow and School Day.<ref name=":3" /> The Southampton County Historical Society hosts a Heritage Day annually at its Southampton Agriculture and Forestry Museum and Southampton Heritage Village, featuring living history demonstrations, displays, crafts, and re-enactments.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Architecture

The Courtland Historic District was established by the Virginia Landmark Register on December 12, 2019, and the National Register of Historic Places on March 19, 2020.<ref name=":12" /> It encompasses 284 contributing resources and Template:Convert in the north half of the town, along the east bank of Nottoway River, essentially running along Main Street/U.S. Route 58 Business.<ref name=":11" /> The district includes the courthouse, churches, commercial buildings, and residences in the American Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Federal, Italianate, Gothic Revival, Minimal Traditional, Queen Anne, Tudor Revival, and Victorian architectural styles.<ref name=":12" />

Churches in the historic district are all from the 20th century and include the Gothic Revival St. Luke's Episcopal and First Baptist; the latter was originally framed but now has a brick veneer.<ref name=":14">Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 7: 7. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref> Built in 1906, St. Luke's has large, stained glass winders and a steeple clad in wooden shingles.<ref name=":14" /> Adjacent to St. Luke's, Courtland United Methodist was built in Colonial Revival style and has a central tower.<ref name=":14" /> Courtland Baptist is a Romanesque Revival brick structure.<ref name=":14" /> The David Temple AME Zion was built in 1966 on the west side of town and does not follow a revival style.<ref name=":14" /> The town's main cemetery, Riverside Cemetery, was originally associated with St. Luke's.<ref name=":14" /> The one-acre Helping Hand Cemetery is located on the north side of Courtland and was opened for African Americans in 1897.<ref name=":14" /> This historic district also included the Mahone-Manry cemetery, a private plot behind the Seven Gables house, and a Confederate burial ground behind the Courtland Baptist Church.<ref name=":14" />

Southampton County Courthouse

The Southampton County Courthouse was built in June 1834 in a modest version of the Jeffersonian Classical style.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":17" /> The brick structure includes a Colonial Revival style pediment and four-columned portico were added in 1924.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":11" /> Located across from the courthouse on Main Street, Mahone's Tavern was built around 1796 in the Federal style.<ref name=":0" /> The two-story tavern is built on a hall-parlor plan and has a balcony over the front door, as well as a two-story inset porch.<ref name=":19" /> Next door to Mahone's Tavern, the Template:Circa Bell House is decorated with sawn trim and other folk Victorian elements.<ref name=":23">Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 7.9. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref>

Across Main Street from the courthouse, the Rochelle-Prince House was built in 1814 and expanded in 1817. It has been restored with a shake shingle roof by the Southampton County Historical Society.<ref name=":23" /> Located on Main Street near Courtland United Methodist, Seven Gables is a Template:Circa house that has been expanded.<ref name=":23" /> The Briggs-Manry house also dates to Template:Circa but was moved from its original location.<ref name=":23" /> Also moved to its current location in Courtland, the Rebecca Vaughan House is a three-bay frame dwelling dating to Template:Circa.<ref name=":23" /> Originally located in Southampton County, the Vaughn House was moved to the Southampton Agriculture & Forestry Museum and Heritage Village in 2004 and restored for its connection to Nat Turner's rebellion.<ref name=":23" />

The core of Coutland's business district consists of early 20th-century one and two-story buildings facing Main Street.<ref name=":11" /> The Courtland Town Hall is a former brick service station dating to Template:Circa.<ref name=":11" /> The Masonic Lodge is also located along Main Street; it is a two-story frame building that dates to the late 19th century.<ref name=":19" /> Along the railroad is an abandoned Birdsong peanut processing facility with a large warehouse and silos.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":20" />

The Courland Rosenwald School, built in 1928 and 1929, is restored as a community center.<ref name=":13" /> It is an example of the “Two Teacher Community School, To Face East or West Only (Floor Plan No. 20)" standardized Rosenwald school designs by architect Samuel Smith.<ref name=":19">Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 7: 8. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref> It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name=":19" /> Mahone's Tavern, the Rochelle-Prince House, and the Rebecca Vaughan House are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="nris">Template:NRISref</ref>

Parks and recreation

The Nottoway River Board Landing in Courland provides access to fishing and boating on the Nottoway River.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

Courtland is the county seat of Southampton County.<ref name=":7" /> The county is governed by an elected Board of Supervisors that includes seven members.<ref name=":7" /> The Southampton County Courthouse is located in Courtland and houses the 5th Judicial Circuit of Virginia.<ref name=":4" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

Public schools

Southampton County Public Schools system is located in Courtland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its schools in Courtland include Riverdale Elementary which serves grades Pre-K through 5, Southampton Middle serving grades 6 through 8, and Southampton High School which serves grades 9 through 12.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Private schools

Southampton Academy is a private school in Courtland that serves grades Pre-K through 12.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Infrastructure

Transportation

Courtland and the adjacent county rely on its road and highway network.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref> Courtland includes the junction of Virginia State Route 35 (SR35) and U.S. Route 58 (US58), the main thoroughfare that extends across Virginia south of the James River.<ref name=":11" /> US 58 Business becomes Courland's Main Street and SR35 is called Meherrim Road.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":11" /> US58 Business provides the main bridge across the Nottoway River into Courtland from the south.<ref name=":11" /> Main Street runs southeast and becomes Jerusalem Road/US58 Business which merges back to US58.<ref name=":11" /> The Coutland bypass which separates US58 and the US58 Business removed a significant amount of traffic through the center of Courtland.

SR 35 is designated as a Virginia Byway for its aesthetic, historical, and cultural value.<ref name=":6" /> It continues through Southampton County for forty miles to Interstate 95.<ref name=":11" />

Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Corporation provide freight and piggyback rail services to Southampton County; the railroad junction crosses Route 58 in Courtland and runs north to south.<ref>"Chapter 4 - Transportation" (PDF). Southampton County Planning. April 2012. p. 4-1, 4-6, and 4-11. Retrieved March 18, 2023.</ref><ref name=":11" />

Utilities

The Southampton County Department of Public Utilities provides sewer service to Courtland; a waste treatment plant is located outside of the town.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref> The town's water is provided by a separate system.<ref name=":5" /> Dominion Energy and the Community Electric Coop provide electricity for Courtland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Services

The Courtland Volunteer rescue squad provides fire and first responder services.<ref name=":11" />

Notable people

See also

References

Template:Reflist

Template:Virginia towns Template:Southampton County, Virginia Template:Virginia county seats and independent cities Template:Authority control

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