History of Halifax
Posted by: BruceS
N 36° 45.934 W 078° 55.737
17S E 684849 N 4070866
Historical marker commemorates the history of Halifax, Virginia.
Waymark Code: WM2H1B
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 11/02/2007
Views: 25
History of Halifax - R-77
The town of Halifax has been the county seat of Halifax county since 1777.
It is named for George Montague, the second Earl of Halifax, an English
statesman. Previously this community had been called Banister, Houston,
and Halifax Court House. Portions of Gen. Nathanael Greene's troops were
here Feb. 1781. George Washington was in the region on 4 June 1791.
During the spring of 1827, John Randolph of Roanoke spoke here to a large
gathering of people. The present courthouse is a Classical Revival
structure built in 1839, constructed by Dabney Cosby, Sr., one of Thomas
Jefferson's master builders. Union Gen. George Custer camped in the region
in Apr. 1865. ~ text of marker