Small Towns of Virginia Series

Small Towns of Virginia Series - Hanover

The Historic Hanover Courthouse Building built in 1735.

The small village of Hanover sits as the County Seat of growing Hanover County. Surrounded by centuries of history, this town of nearly 500 people along US Route 301 has lodged many famous dignitaries at an over two centuries old tavern and has been the birthplace of many notable names in American History. The historic courthouse that sits off of the main highway was built in 1735. Patrick Henry would make a name for himself here when he argued the Parson's Case in 1763.

The well-known Hanover Tavern

Directly across from the historic Courthouse building stands an equally historic location, Hanover Tavern. Since 1733, a tavern has located its site. The oldest part of the current building dates to 1791. Many well-known names in early American history stayed at the Hanover Tavern site. George Washington, Marquis de LaFayette, and Lord Cornwallis spent time here. As did Patrick Henry when he argued the 1763 Parson's case. The tavern would see years of use diminish as the automobile era lessened the need for overnight stays. The tavern would remain active through World War II, but by the 1950s, it would sit almost empty. In 1953, a group of New York actors would buy the tavern, restore it, and start the Barkdale Theatre. It was a very popular Richmond destination into the 1980s. In 1990, the Hanover Tavern Foundation was formed, and they purchased the building and the surrounding land. The group began a restoration in the mid-90s and in 2004-05 began another restoration. Today, the Hanover Tavern hosts dinners and banquets, art showings, historical reenactments, and other civic events.

The Hanover Cafe adds to the charm of modern day Hanover.

Today, Hanover is a small village that sits on US 301. It is full of history and is worth taking 30 minutes out of your travels to walk around and experience.

Site Navigation:

Return to Small Towns of Virginia Series Index

Comments

The 1915-era Teilman Bridge (the only known Concrete Pony Truss Bridge in California)

The Teilman Bridge is a semi-abandoned structure over Fresno Slough west of Burrell siding near the intersection of Elkhorn Avenue and Elkhorn Grade. This structure is the only known Concrete Pony Truss Bridge constructed in California and was designed by Ingvart Teilman. Teilman's Bridge would open in late 1915 when the Elkhorn Grade was the primary road between Fresno and Coalinga. The structure would be replaced in 1991 but was left standing as it carries pipelines over Fresno Slough. Part 1; the history of the Teilman Bridge In the early Twentieth Century the most direct highway between Fresno and Coalinga followed the Elkhorn Grade. The Elkhorn Grade began at Fresno Slough a short distance west of Burrell siding. From Fresno Slough the Elkhorn Grade followed a generally southwestern course through San Joaquin Valley into the Kettleman Hills towards Coalinga. The Elkhorn Grade can be seen on the 1914 C.F. Weber map of Fresno Coun...

The Dummy Lights of New York

A relic of the early days of motoring, dummy lights were traffic lights that were placed in the middle of a street intersection. In those early days, traffic shuffled through busy intersections with the help of a police officer who stood on top of a pedestal. As technology improved and electric traffic signals became commonplace, they were also originally positioned on a platform at the center of the intersection. Those traffic signals became known as " dummy lights " and were common until traffic lights were moved onto wires and poles that crossed above the intersection. In New York State, only a handful of these dummy lights exist. The dummy lights are found in the Hudson Valley towns of Beacon and Croton-on-Hudson, plus there is an ongoing tug of war in Canajoharie in the Mohawk Valley, where their dummy light has been knocked down and replaced a few times. The dummy light in Canajoharie is currently...

Prunedale Road (Monterey County)

Prunedale Road is a short 2.6-mile-long frontage corridor of US Route 101 in the namesake Monterey County community of Prunedale. Prior to 1932 US Route 101 bypassed Prunedale in favor of the San Juan Grade to the east. Prunedale Road along with nearby Moro Road served as an alternative connecting highway between Salinas and San Juan Bautista. Following the realignment of US Route 101 onto the Prunedale Cutoff the former through route along Prunedale Road would be rendered as a western frontage. Part 1; the history of Prunedale Road Prunedale Road is located in and is named after the Monterey County community of Prunedale. Said community was founded near the junction of San Migeul Canyon, Langley Canyon and Echo Valley. Watsonville settler Charles Langley (namesake of Langley Canyon) was one of the prominent early community settlers. The Prunedale Post Office would open for the first time in 1894 but would close by 1908. Early agricu...

Gribblenation

Search This Blog