Old Jail Museum - 1810-1966 (Tour)

1. Fauquier County Historical Society - Old Jail Museum - 1810-1966

In Fauquier County, there is a small town called ‘Warrenton’ that has housed the Fauquier County Old Jail. It was built in 1779 and officially opened in 1808. Located at 10 Ashby Street, next to the General District Courthouse, the jail imprisoned up to forty inmates at a time and originally contained four cells. Then in 1823, renovations were constructed, creating the rear extension of the stone jail. The additional area included an exercise yard that was also used as a hanging yard for those who received the death penalty. The jail was operated until they decided to close it down in 1966. Now, the Fauquier County Historical Society maintains the Old Jail, which now houses objects related to the Revolutionary War Era, Civil War Era, including Indian artifacts, and Colonel John S. Mosby exhibits. This is now classified as one of the oldest remaining jails in Virginia.

2. The Fauquier County General District Court

Located on 6 Court Street near Main Street, the courthouse is Warrenton’s premier historic landmark and contributor to the Town of Warrenton Historic District. The building currently houses the County General District Court of the 20th Judicial District.The courthouse is the focal point, symbolic of Warrenton’s history as a pre-Revolutionary era, 18th century crossroads community and a thriving commerce, legal and political center in the region. Warrenton became where several of the nation’s distinguished lawyers and politicians of the 19th century practiced their craft. The most famous is John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice to the Supreme Court.The current structure is the fourth built for the judiciary. Completed in 1890, it is an excellent example of the Classical Revival style by architect William H. Baldwin.

3. Fauquier Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Virginia considers anyone under the age of eighteen a juvenile. The Fauquier Juvenile and Domestic relations District Court handles all juvenile and domestic relations matters, including criminal and trafficmatters. Located at 14 Main Street, this building was built in 1890. Oneprominent aspect of the court is located right out front of the courthouse; astatue of Chief Justice John Marshall. Since Justice John Marshall wasborn in Fauquier county and began his legal career in Warrenton, it wasconstructed during the Bicentennial Celebration for the county incommemoration of the fact that Marshall began his legal career inWarrenton.

4. Fauquier National Bank Building/Warrenton Town Hall/Warrenton Municipal Building

The Fauquier National Bank Building is in the Warrenton Historic District in Warrenton, Virginia. The Warrenton Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Fauquier National Bank Building is located at 18 Court Street, adjacent to the historic courthouse. It was built in 1925 as a 2-story Classical Revival style building using tan brick and limestone. It was built for its original occupant - Fauquier National Bank. Beginning in 1973 until 2021 the building served as the Warrenton Town Hall.

5. Warrenton Cemetery

Over 8,000 people have been laid to rest in the roughly 18-acre Warrenton Cemetery. Although currently, the Town of Warrenton is responsible for its upkeep, most of the burial plots are owned by families from Fauquier County. Originally the site of the Norris family cemetery, the town of Warrenton purchased the land in 1828, turning it into the town's cemetery. Throughout the 19th century additional land purchases increased the size of the cemetery to accommodate the needs of the growing community.

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Old Jail Museum - 1810-1966

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