King and Queen County - American Courthouses

King and Queen County is named for King William III and Queen Mary II of Great Britain.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Essex County and Middlesex County

E – Gloucester County

S – James City County, New Kent County and King William County

W – Caroline County

Created: April 16, 1691

County Seat:

King and Queen Courthouse 1691 – present

Old County Courthouse – King and Queen Courthouse

Location: Highway 681 / Highway 14

Built: 1866 – 1867

Style: Colonial Revival

Architect: Unknown

Contractor: Unknown

Description: The building faces east and is a one story red colored brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of King and Queen. The building is crucifix shaped with the north wing having the main entrance. The roof is hipped. Remodeled 1864 after fire. The wings were added in 1895. Behind the courthouse is the Old Jail.

County Courthouse – King and Queen Courthouse

Location: Highway 681 / Highway 14

Built: 1996 – 1997

Style: Modern

Architect: Mosley Harris & McClintock

Contractor: Oyster Point Construction Company

Description: The building faces northwest and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped ground on the east side of the old courthouse in the center of King and Queen. The north section is a large square one story building. On the south side is a two story rectangular building with hipped roof. Across the front are a series of arches. The building is named as the Courts and Administration Building.

See: The 9th Judicial Circuit includes Charles City County, Gloucester County, James City County, King William County, Mathews County, Middlesex County, New Kent County, Poquoson, Williamsburg and York County.

History: The county was created in 1691 and King and Queen Courthouse was selected as the county seat. The first courthouse was a frame structure built by Larkin Chew a carpenter in 1691. In 1828 the building burned on April 8. The second courthouse was built in 1828 but was burned on March 10, 1864 by Union troops during the Civil War. The Court met at Pace’s Chapel and Stevensville until the third courthouse was built in 1866 to 1867 at a cost of $4,650. In 1895 the building was expanded, wings were added and a vestibule was added. The Clerk’s Office was built at the rear in 1957. The fourth courthouse was constructed in 1996 to 1997.