Charles City Court House

Charles City County, named for King Charles I, was one of Virginia's eight original shires formed by 1634. It encompassed land south of the James River until 1702, when Prince George County was established. The courthouse was completed here in 1757. On 8 Jan. 1781, during the Revolutionary War, a British detachment under Lt. Col. John G. Simcoe surprised and dispersed an American militia unit stationed here. During the Civil War, Union forces passed through in 1862, 1863, and 1864, and many county records were destroyed. On 13 Dec. 1863 Union cavalrymen captured dozens of Confederates garrisoned here.