Northampton County - American Courthouses

Northampton is named for Northampton Shire in Great Britain.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Accomack County

E – Atlantic Ocean

S – Virginia Beach

W – Hampton, Poquoson, Gloucester County and Mathews County

Created: 1634

County Seat:

Towne 1634 – 1677

Eastville 1677 – present

Old County Courthouse – Eastville

Location: 16404 Courthouse Road / Courthouse Square

Built: 1898 – 1899

Style: Romanesque Revival

Architect: B F Smith Fireproof Company

Contractor: B F Smith Fireproof Company

Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick and wood structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Eastville. The east front has an arched entrance on the first story and a balcony on the second story. The center section rises to a gable at the roof line. The second story windows are arched. The roof is hipped. In the interior, the former second story courtroom is now the Commissioners Chamber. On the west side of the building is a new addition. The building was renovated in 2011. The architect was DJG Inc. and the contractor was Armada Hoffler Construction Company. The building is located in Courthouse Square with the old courthouse ( 1731 ), Clerk’s Office ( 1750 ), Prison ( 1913 ) and Debtor Prison ( 1815 ) on the north side. On the south side is Barrister’s Row.

Note: The county is one of the original 8 shires in 1634, being Accomac Shire which included Accomack County.

County Courthouse – Eastville

Location: 5229 The Hornes Road / Courthouse Road

Built: 2004 – 2006

Style: Modern

Architect: PMA Planners & Architect

Contractor: McKenzie Construction Company

Description: The building faces east and is a two story red colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Eastville. The east front has a central portico with six white colored columns rising to a pediment at the roof line. The recessed entrance has vertical glass windows. The roof is hipped.

Old County Courthouse – Eastville

Location: 16404 Courthouse Road / Courthouse Square

Built: 1731 – 1732

Style: Federal

Architect: John Marshall

Contractor: John Marshall

Description: The building faces south and is a one story red colored brick and wood structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Eastville. The arched entrance is on the south side. The building has a steep pitched roof. The building is now a museum.

See: The 2nd Judicial Circuit includes Accomack County and Virginia Beach.

History: The county was created in 1634 and Towne was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was built in 1663 in Towne when Accomack County was created. In 1677, the county seat was moved to Eastville and the court met in the taverns. The second courthouse a frame structure was built in 1690. The third courthouse was a two story frame structure built in 1715. The third courthouse was a brick structure built in 1731 which is still standing. The fourth courthouse was built in 1795. The fifth courthouse was constructed in 1898 to 1899 and is still standing. The sixth and present courthouse was constructed in 2004 to 2006.