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what to see & do > attractions > culpeper county courthouse 
SOON AFTER THE COUNTY WAS FORMED IN 1749, a frame courthouse was constructed on the northeast corner of Main and Davis streets. In 1808, this unsafe building was demolished, and
a two-story brick building was erected on the same site.
During the Civil War, this building was utilized for many purposes while the town changed hands several times. The clerk, Fayette Mauzy, became incensed when Union soldiers tore the pages
out of the record books to start their camp fires. In the dark of the night, he crept into the courthouse, retrieved the priceless books, loaded them on his wagon, and took them out in the county
to the home of a tanner, Henry Hitt, where they remained buried under the tanbark until the end of the war.
The dilapidated building was auctioned off in 1870, and the current courthouse was begun. Court was first held in the new building in July of 1873. The beautifully restored circuit courtroom
with a hand-painted classical border is a source of pride for the community.
On the left and the right sides of the Culpeper County Courthouse, you will find two memorials commemorating those who fought and perished in Vietnam and the Civil War.
The Culpeper County Courthouse is in use today with working courtrooms and County government offices. Visitors can use resources at the Circuit Court Office on the 2nd Floor of the Courthouse
to conduct genealogical research, Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30, (540)727-3438. All visitors must pass through a security checkpoint upon entering at the rear of the building.
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