Goochland Circuit Court Clerk

Goochland County Courthouse (c.1914)

Goochland Circuit Court Clerk ( 2017 ) 

Site: Goochland Circuit Court Clerk 

Date of Construction: 1826

Reason for Construction: The present courthouse is the second on this specific site, and built due to the decrypted condition of the previous courthouse. County courthouse’s typically have a clerk who deal with legal issues pertaining to the county on a local level.

Site History: The Goochland County Courthouse was built in 1826, by architects Valentine Parrish, a Cumberland builder, and Dabney Cosby, with only $5,250. The architects clearly had been influenced by Thomas Jefferson, as Cosby had previously worked for Jefferson at the University of Virginia. This influence is showcased by the color scheme of the red brick with white trim pillars, with Tuscan portico and entablature. The site was enclosed by a brick wall to keep out roaming cattle. This emphasizes the rural nature of Goochland County. In August of 1826, William Bolling sat as the first judge on the opening day of the Courthouse.

Area History: In 1728, Goochland County was formed as a division from the Henrico Shire, one of the original eight shire’s of Virginia. It was named after Sir William Gooch, a royal lieutenant. At this time, most of Goochland is frontier land. Agriculture was the main source of economic revenue, the most popular crops being tobacco and corn. At this time there wasn’t a main central road, but many small winding county roads. On the same plot, there is a historic county jail to the left (built in 1833), and the clerk’s office to the right (built in 1847).  By 1840, George Washington had overseen the development of Kanawha Canal, which later on became the foundation for Goochland’s railroad. This assisted in the transportation of aforementioned goods.

What about the site has changed? For the most part, the site has aged gracefully. The front of the building remains the same. The windows have retained their original six by six size, and dark green shutters. However, on the second floor the size of the windows has been diminished. In 1955, there was an addition that entailed a new judge’s chamber and jury room. In the 90’s, the interior was altered and renovated, but still contains the original gallery and two original staircases to the second floor. Additionally, the jail is still maintained as a historic site. To this day, over 200 years later, the Courthouse is still in use as the county’s Circuit Court.

 What about the surrounding area has changed? The surrounding area has changed drastically. Long gone are the rolling hills and luscious green grass that surrounded the Goochland Courthouse. In fact, the percentage of farmable land in Goochland is declining. The immediate surrounding area is now referred to as the Courthouse Village. Developers sought to expand the area with a mixed-village style in mind. This includes the development of a library, the local recreation center and community college. Furthermore, there is a desire to expand even more by adding affordable housing options, water facilities and additional recreational centers

Reflection: I have lived in Goochland County for as long as I have been alive, and have never known about its history. I am somewhat proud to be able to see something that has been around since 1826, and has been maintained so well. I think the most interesting I came across in my research was the population breakdown. In the 19^th century, there were about 3000 white to about 5000 enslaved blacks ( this does not include the freed blacks in the area ), a literal 3 to 5 ratio. It makes me curious about the racial breakdown of other counties in Virginia. 

Author : Lauren Christmas 

Sources :  

Baker, Jeff P. "A Master Plan for Goochland County Courthouse Village." Edited

     by Bill Haskins, Cathy Haskins, Eleanor Towers, Tom Towers, Claudia Lawton,

     Dee Philips, and Molly Lennard. Last modified 2006. Accessed March 19,

     2017. http://www.murp.vcu.edu/projects762/S06/

     S06_JBaker_Goochland_Courthouse_Master_Plan.pdf.

Civic Plus. "Goochland Courthouse." Goochland County Economic Development.

     Accessed March 19, 2017. http://www.goochlandforbusiness.com/207/

     Goochland-Courthouse.

DHR. "Goochland County Court Square." NRHP Nomination Forms. Last modified

     September 5, 1970. Accessed March 19, 2017. http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/

     registers/Counties/Goochland/

     037-0136_Goochland_County_Court_Square_1970_Final_Nomination.pdf.

Dunn, Christina, Ginney Olsen, and James Richmond. "Goochland's Courthouse."

     Goochland History (blog). Entry posted November 5, 2011. Accessed March

     19, 2017. https://goochlandhistory.wordpress.com/2011/11/05/

     goochlands-courthouse/.

Marker History. "Goochland County Courthouse SA - 9." Marker History. Last

     modified 2010. Accessed March 19, 2017. http://www.markerhistory.com/

     goochland-county-courthouse-marker-sa-9/.