Chesterfield County, Virginia

1917 Courthouse A Bomb Proof Church ? A Perfect Gibraltar A Permanent Post Abraham Lincoln at Point of Rocks Actions in the East 1861-1863 Advance on Petersburg African-Americans in the Confederate War Effort Amaza Lee Meredith (1895-1984) Ampthill Estate Apostles of Religious Liberty Appomattox River Overlook Battery Dantzler Battery Dantzler Battery Dantzler Battle of Chester Station Battle of Drewry’s Bluff Battle of Swift Creek Bellona Arsenal Bellona Foundry Bellwood Elk Herd Bermuda Hundred Bermuda Hundred Bermuda Hundred Landing Bethel Baptist Church Bethlehem Baptist Church Black Heath Boy Company Broadway Landing Camp Beall Cary’s Mill Overlook CCC Camp Site Changes Over Time Chester Station Fight Chesterfield County Courthouse Chesterfield Court House Chesterfield Railroad Chief Opechancanouch Citie of Henricus Civilian Conservation Corps - Company 2386 Clover Hill Mining District Colonel Thomas Lygon Confederate Leaders Confederate Memorial Confederate Reconnaissance Mission Construction of the Howlett Line Covered Way Crimean Ovens Cultural History Dividends for the Future Drewry's Bluff Drewry’s Bluff Drewry’s Bluff Drewry’s Bluff Drewry’s Bluff Drewry’s Bluff Battlefield Drewry’s Bluff Defences Drewry’s Bluff Trail Dutch Gap Dutch Gap Canal Dutch Gap Conservation Area Duty Above and Beyond Eleazar Clay Enon Baptist Church Eppington Ettrick Ettrick Veterans Memorial Falling Creek Iron Works Falling Creek Ironworks Falling Creek Stone Bridge Falling Creek Stone Bridge Farrar's Island Farrar's Island Federal War Plans for 1864 Finishing Fort Drewry First Baptist Church (Centralia) First Railroad in Virginia First Virginia Infantry Regiment Fort Darling Fort Stevens Fort Stevens Fort Wead Founding of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad George Washington Carver High School Goode's Bridge Grant's Virginia Campaigns Half-Way House Halfway House Hallsborough Tavern Henricopolis Henricus Historical Park Historic Point of Rocks Historic Point of Rocks Historic Route 1 Historic Village of Bensley Hot Shot and Wooden Ships Howlett Line Howlett Line Gun Position Howlett Line Park Huguenot Settlement Ill-Fated Friendship Into the "Bottle" Iron Furnace Overlook Jefferson Davis Highway John N. Pastore, D.D.S. John Smith Explores the Chesapeake John Smith Explores the Chesapeake Join the Adventure Lee's Headquarters Local Workforce At The Mills Magnolia Grange Mary Randolph Matoaca Mill Site Mattoax May 15, 1862—The Battle of Drewry's Bluff Mid-Lothian Mines and Rail Roads Mid-Lothian Mines and Rail Roads Mid-Lothian Mines and Rail Roads Mid-Lothian Mines and Rail Roads Midlothian Coal Mines Midlothian Elementary School Moore's Brick Cottage Mount Malady Mr. Frederick Francoz Simms Natural History Nurses at Point of Rocks Hospital Olin Miller Dantzler Opening Actions of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign Opposunoquonuske Osbornes Parker's Battery Parker’s Battery Parker’s Battery Piney Grove Church Meeting Site Pocahontas State Park Point of Rocks Point of Rocks Point of Rocks Hospital Point of Rocks Hospital Ward Pontoon Bridge Port Walthall Proctor's Creek Fight Providence United Methodist Church Railroad Crossing Over The Appomattox River Redwater Creek Engagement Remembrance Restoration of Storum Hall Restoration of Vawter Hall Salisbury Salisbury Second Battle of Drewry's Bluff Sgt. James Engle Shaping Of The Town Silk Mill Simms Hall Site of First Iron Foundry in America Skinquarter Baptist Church Swift Creek Battlefield: A Landscape of Change The Appomattox River Raid, June 26-28, 1862 The Battle of Trent’s Reach The Battle of Ware Bottom Church The Beginning of Ettrick The Bermuda Campaign The Bermuda Hundred Campaign The Bermuda Hundred Campaign The Bermuda Hundred Campaign Begins The Bermuda Hundred Campaign-Federal Leaders The Boy Company The Church of Henricopolis The First Attacks on Petersburg The First Marine Medal of Honor The Gregory Burial Ground The Half-Way House The Heath Gravity Railroad The History Of Virginia State University The Howlett Line The James River...Floating Through The Centuries The Lagoon The Lightkeeper’s House The Schofield House The Siege of Petersburg The Siege of Petersburg Begins The Strachan House The Tides The United States Submarine Propeller Alligator The USS Monitor The "Bottle" Trabue's Tavern Union Army Checked Union Army Railroad Raids Union Raid On Coalfield Station United States Colored Troops in the Army of the James USCTs At Dutch Gap Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Wall Virginia State University Virginia State University Warwick Welcome to R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks William Ransom Johnson Winfree Memorial Baptist Church - Midlothian Mine Disaster World War I in Chesterfield County World War II Memorial "A Very Neat Chapel" "The Rocks"
Chesterfield County, Virginia, has a rich history that dates back to the early 17th century. Named after the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, the county was established in 1749 as one of the original five counties of Virginia. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Appomattox and the Powhatan Confederacy.

During the colonial era, Chesterfield County played a significant role in the tobacco industry, which was the backbone of the Virginia economy. Large plantations emerged, owned by prominent families such as the Bollings and the Randolphs. The county was an active participant in the American Revolution, with local militia units joining the cause against British rule.

After the Revolutionary War, Chesterfield County experienced steady growth and development. The construction of the Chesterfield Railroad in 1831, connecting the county to Richmond, further accelerated its growth. The railroad brought new industries and businesses to the area, leading to the establishment of coal mines, factories, and trading centers.

During the Civil War, Chesterfield County was an important strategic location due to its proximity to Richmond, the Confederate capital. The county witnessed significant military activity, including the Battle of Drewry's Bluff in 1862. Following Virginia's secession from the United States, numerous battles and skirmishes occurred in the area as Union forces attempted to capture Richmond.

In the 20th century, Chesterfield County experienced rapid suburbanization and population growth. With its proximity to Richmond and its excellent school system, the county became an attractive destination for families and businesses. Today, Chesterfield County is one of the most populous and prosperous counties in Virginia, known for its diverse communities, rich historic sites, and vibrant economy.
Brief timeline of the history of Chesterfield County, Virginia:

  • Chesterfield County established in 1749
  • Around 1750, the county seat was established as Chesterfield Courthouse
  • In 1814, the courthouse was destroyed by fire
  • Mid-1800s, the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad brought economic growth to the area
  • During the American Civil War (1861-1865), Chesterfield was occupied by Union forces
  • In 1914, the new Chesterfield Courthouse was built
  • Throughout the 20th century, the county experienced substantial residential and commercial development
  • In 1997, Chesterfield County celebrated its 250th anniversary

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Chesterfield County, Virginia.