Coming a long way in 250 years

Zann Miner
Published: July 9, 2008

You’ve come a long way, baby! The reference is to the modest beginnings of the little town known by various names. It was first called Fairfax, then Culpeper Court House and since 1870, it has been simply and officially Culpeper.

Over the coming weeks a new journey will take place comparing notes on what was then and what is now, highlighting the areas of growth and the resulting changes. Some have been good, some not so much, but you can be the judge of outcomes.

The focus will be on the town, epicenter of life in Culpeper, but there may be some a stray topic or two occurring outside the town limits.

The assembly in Williamsburg sanctioned the establishment of the town on Feb. 22, 1759 and named Fairfax for Lord Fairfax VI, son of Catherine Culpeper Fairfax. Roger Dixon, Clerk of Court for Culpeper County put the plat to record on June 21 of that same year. One could justify either date for celebration. There were several ‘towns” authorized in Culpeper County, though none as early or as successful as Fairfax.

The dates are for official record only; they do not represent the beginnings of activity or residents in the town. Growth is an evolutionary process and Culpeper was no exception.

If one goes back a mere 10 years to 1749 a more accurate, albeit unofficial, establishment is revealed. The county was chartered on May 17, 1749 to establish a county court of convenient location to the nearby residents. Built on property owned by Robert Coleman, the new courthouse was situated on the corner of present-day Main and Davis Streets.

Culpeper County would eventually build three courthouses, two at this same location and the third and current building a block away at the west end of Davis Street.

In short-order, between the courthouse on Main and present-day East Street was the original courthouse or town square complete with a clerk’s office, jail, stocks and a whipping post. Logic would demand that where there were court proceedings there would be a need for a variety of services, not perhaps lodging, law offices, a possible tavern or two and a stable for the horses.

During the next 10 years, as court business grew, so did the need for more and more services. Robert Coleman, owner of vast amounts of land in and around this village, saw a need and an opportunity. He petitioned the Virginia Assembly for the right to develop a town on 27 acres.

The authorization for the town meant that Coleman could sell lots. It was a private enterprise, regulated by the assembly, and had little to do with governing bodies and jurisdictional municipalities. Legally, all residents of the town answered to the county courts and the appointed Justices of the Peace.

Much like launching a current-day corporate venture, trustees were appointed and assigned the task of laying off lots and recording the plat. Many of these men also became investors in the project and carried names that linger on signs and property today: Slaughter, Pendleton, Green, Clayton and Williams.

With the authorization came a mandate to comply with certain rules and guidelines. Coleman and the trustees went beyond the minimum standards to create a town that would become successful and highly profitable.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to ponder today Mr. Coleman’s thoughts on his town!

The plat recorded 40 half acre lots on four blocks. The primary cross streets of Coleman (now Main) and Davis would be 60 feet wide and the others a minimum of 30 feet.

Today’s subdivisions often carry covenants, restricting the use of the property and regulating the type and size of house, not a new idea based on the orders set up by the trustees in 1759. Each house must be a minimum of 16 by 18 feet, set on a brick or stone foundation and a proper fence erected around the house.

Not quite like today’s homeowner’s associations, noncompliance in the 18th century town was very serious business. If an owner failed to meet the standards, the property would revert to the trustees. Yikes! Maybe it was this attitude that set the foundation for Culpeper’s future.

There will be more to come on how things began and how they have progressed.

Until next week.

Zann Miner, former director of the Museum of Culpeper History, can be reached at or write Zann Miner c/o the Culpeper Star Exponent 471 James Madison Hwy. Suite 201 Culpeper, VA 22701.