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The "Old Courthouse"

 of Henry County, VA

 first was built in 1824 

and renovated in 1929.

 

The old Courthouse is located in the county seat, Martinsville, VA.  There have been three separate courthouse structures. The first Courthouse building was erected in 1793. It was a structure of logs set on a stone foundation.

  The second Courthouse was built ca. 1824, and featured two stories, four columns in the portico, and reflected the popular Roman Classical style.

The third Courthouse [pictured] encased the 1824 building and retained the original portico. The stairs to the second floor [set outside in the 1824 building] were moved inside. The courtroom was enlarged and the building fire-proofed. Except for an annex added in the rear of the building, the courthouse is much the same as it was when completed in 1929 at a cost of $26,300.00. Best of all for genealogists, Henry County is NOT a burned county.

Courthouse Researching today is done in the new Facility...The new Courthouse was completed in 1997, and is located on Kings Mountain Road. The Clerk of Court's address is: Ms. Juanita J. Stewart; Clerk of the Circuit Court, Henry County, VA; 3160 Kings Mountain Road, Suite B; Martinsville, VA. 24112.  Telephone number [540] 634-4880.

Directions from the new Courthouse to the Genealogy Collection housed in the Bassett Branch Historical Center: Turn right onto Route 174 [Kings Mountain Road] from the new Courthouse parking lot. Follow Rt. 174 until it ends at a traffic light where Rt.174 joins Virginia Blvd. in Collinsville [Business 220.]

Turn right onto Business 220. Follow this road as it leaves Collinsville, crosses a small bridge, goes under an overpass and leads into Route 57. A golf course will be on your right as you drive toward Stanleytown on Rt.57. Follow this road through Stanleytown and Bassett past several furniture factories. In the north section of Bassett, Rt. 57 bears left and crosses Smith River. At the traffic light, Bassett Middle School will be ahead on your left.

Turn right at the traffic light. The Bassett Branch Historical Center and parking lot beside it, is about 100 yards west of the traffic light. It is a red brick building with portico and white columns.