Dinwiddie County, Virginia

1st Lieutenant Evander McNair Robeson 1st Lieutenant Octavius Augustus Wiggins A Final Stand A Mysterious Historic Feature A.P. Hill Death Site A.P. Hill Memorial After the Breakthrough: April 2, 1865 Appomattox Campaign (Sutherland Station) Attack on the Angle Battle of Dinwiddie Court House Battle of Five Forks Battle of Five Forks Battle of Hatcher’s Run Battlefield Terrain Birthplace of Roger Atkinson Pryor Brigadier General John Pegram Brother vs. Brother Burgess Mill Butterwood Chapel Campaign of 1781 Cattle (Beefsteak) Raid Central State Hospital Central State Hospital Cemetery Chamberlain's Bed Col. John Banister Confederate Fort Gregg Confederate Fort Whitworth Confederate Winter Huts Confederate Winter Quarters Crawford's Sweep Darvills School Death of Pegram Dinwiddie Confederate Monument Dinwiddie Court House Dinwiddie Courthouse Dinwiddie Normal Industrial School Early Education in Dinwiddie County Edge Hill Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley (1818-1907) Engagement at Sutherland Station Field Fortifications First Man Over the Works Five Forks Battlefield Ford's Depot Fork Inn Fort Conahey Fort Gregg Gravelly Run Quaker Meeting House Hatcher's Run Hatcher's Run Battlefields Hatcher's Run Battlefields Hatcher's Run Battlefields Hatcher's Run Battlefields History of the Banks House Kitchen and Servants Hall Kitchen Garden Lane’s North Carolina Brigade Lieutenant Colonel George B. Damon Lieutenant Colonel Ronald A. Kennedy McGowan’s South Carolina Brigade North Carolina Nottoway County / Dinwiddie County Obstructions Origins of 4-H in Virginia Pamplin Historical Park Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier Petersburg Battlefields Petersburg Battlefields Petersburg Battlefields Petersburg Battlefields Petersburg Battlefields Petersburg Battlefields Petersburg Battlefields Petersburg Battlefields Petersburg Battlefields Petersburg Breakthrough Battlefield Quaker Road Engagement Raceland Ream's Station Rocky Branch School Sallie Jones Atkinson Sapony Episcopal Church Scott's Law Office Sergeant John E. Buffington Siege of Petersburg — The Linchpin is Pulled Siege of Petersburg—Grant's Eighth Offensive Siege of Petersburg—Grant's Fifth Offensive Sixth Maryland Infantry Monument Southside High School Southside Virginia Training Center Sutherland Station The Attack Begins The Banks House The Battle of Five Forks The Battle of Fort Whitworth The Battle of Harmon Road The Battle of Hatcher’s Run The Battle of Hatcher’s Run The Battle of Reams Station The Battle of Reams Station The Battle of Reams Station The Battle of Reams Station The Battle of Sutherland The Battle of White Oak Road The Battle of White Oak Road The Battle of White Oak Road The Battle of White Oak Road The Battle of White Oak Road The Battle of White Oak Road The Big House The Boisseau Family Cemetery The Breakthrough The Breakthrough The Breakthrough at Hart Farm The Breakthrough Trail The Burning of White Oak Methodist Church The Civil War Years The Confederate Counterattack The Confederate Fortifications The Hart Farm The Hart House The Kitchen Quarter The Largest Fort The Military Landscape The Petersburg Railroad The Plantaton Landscape The Siege of Petersburg The War of 1812 / Winfield Scott Tobacco Barn Tudor Hall Tudor Hall Barn Tudor Hall Field Quarter Vaughan Road Where Hill Fell White Oak Road White Oak Road Engagement "Advanced…repulsed…charged again…" "Among my gallant officers…": "Hold Five Forks at all hazards…" "I was exceeding anxious to attack at once…" “A Determination That Knew No Such Word as Fail” “A Great Struggle is Now Impending” “Our Line of Battle was so Thin” “The Cannons’ Flashes Lit Up the Terrible Scene” “The Strongest Line of Works Ever Constructed” “We Fought Desperately”
Dinwiddie County, Virginia has a rich history that spans back to the colonial era. The area was originally inhabited by the indigenous Appomattoc tribe until English settlers arrived in the early 17th century. In 1642, Charles City County was established, which included the land that would later become Dinwiddie County. The county was officially formed in 1752 and named after then Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Robert Dinwiddie.

During the American Revolution, Dinwiddie County played a significant role. It was home to several notable patriots, including American Revolutionary War hero, Peter Francisco. The Battle of Five Forks, a critical engagement in the Siege of Petersburg, also took place in Dinwiddie in 1865. This battle marked a turning point in the Civil War, leading to the fall of the Confederate defenses and ultimately, the end of the war.

Following the war, Dinwiddie County experienced a period of growth and development. Agriculture, particularly tobacco farming, became the primary industry in the county, and the construction of railroads further spurred economic growth. The county's natural resources, such as timber and clay, contributed to the establishment of industries like logging and brickmaking.

In more recent times, Dinwiddie County has continued to evolve. The county has made efforts to preserve its historical heritage, with several buildings and landmarks listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, the county has embraced modern development, attracting businesses and industries while maintaining its rural charm. Today, Dinwiddie County stands as a testament to the rich history and resilience of its past, while looking towards a promising future.
Brief timeline of the history of Dinwiddie County, Virginia:

  • 1752 - Dinwiddie County, Virginia, is established from parts of Prince George County and Brunswick County.
  • 1754 - The county is named in honor of Robert Dinwiddie, the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.
  • 1755-1763 - Dinwiddie County is affected by the French and Indian War, with various skirmishes and conflicts taking place in the region.
  • 1775-1783 - The county experiences the American Revolutionary War, with residents actively involved in the struggle for independence.
  • 1803 - Dinwiddie County is enlarged by adding territory from neighboring counties.
  • 1830s - The Southside Railroad reaches Dinwiddie County, facilitating transportation and economic growth in the area.
  • 1861-1865 - Dinwiddie County is heavily impacted by the American Civil War, with several battles and a significant military presence in the area.
  • 1890s - The county experiences a decline in agricultural productivity, leading some residents to seek opportunities elsewhere.
  • 1930s - The Great Depression brings hardships to Dinwiddie County as unemployment rates rise and the economy struggles.
  • 1940s-1970s - Dinwiddie County sees a gradual shift toward a more diversified economy, with increased industrial development and improved infrastructure.
  • Present - Dinwiddie County continues to develop and grow, with a focus on preserving its history while also embracing new opportunities for economic prosperity.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Dinwiddie County, Virginia.