Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-31
BERKELEY:
SKETCH OF NORFOLK COUNTS
FIRST COURTHOUSE.
written for the virgint,>n-Pilot.1

written for the Virgini.,n-Pilot.1
The year 1886 is the year in which the
borough of Norfolk was established.
and from that year to 11S9 Nortolk
County Court was held in that borough,
when its removal to Powder or " ash
ington. Point was consummated by pur-
chasing the lot upon which the present
brick building al the southwest corner
OF Liberty and Pine streets stands to-
day. Upon this lot, in rear of the old
temple of justice. the Jail was erected
4 substantial two-Story brick-which
later in the seventies was taken down
and removed. Both buildings were sub
stantially built. laid in shell lime and
the solidity of the lime made 1T inn
practicable TO clean the old brick. Here
this old Courthouse remained until the
year 1901 when an act was passed au-
thorizirE the removal of the Court
house to Portsmouth as soon as new
Courthouse could be erected. and the
sale of the old building authorized when
the new Courthouse should be received
by the county.
1t was under this act Courthouse
was built on the corner lot, where the
western end of the Ocean House stands.
There the Courthouse remained under
exclusive control OF the county until
the year 1876. Previously, however. the
General Assembly. in 1874. passed an
act authorizing the County Court to re-
cupied by the present Courthouse. But
on the 18th day of March, 1S45, Nor
FOLK County Court ordered the present
building TO be erected on its present site
at cost OF $4,000. Briefly the above
is the status of the County Court
mouse. as accurately as the same can
be determined in its qualifications.
THE OLD COURTHOUSE.
The old Courthouse in Berkeley, which
was abandoned. harpin iOnph
stands to-day with walls intact, as solid
as the day upon which it was complet-
ed. more than century ago, and n
monument of faithful workmanship.
The eloquent voices which reverberated
throughout its corridors are hushed and
naught but an interior wreck and decay
is left to indicate the former sanctity
| as Norfolk county's seat of justice.
Since its abandonment as such it's in
| terror has been utilized for various pur-
poses among them family residence,
| lodge room above, where the Good
Templars. Rcchabites and kindred in
stitutions held their regular meetings
| here. too, the society of Methodists and
the Episcopalans. In the early seven
ties and during their infancy. held re-
ligious services. until 1873, when their
present churches, on Chestnut street.
| were completed.
The old building in later years was
used as grist mill and grocery store,
the last use made of It,
A WRECK.
The interior now is a perfect wreck,
out II undisturbed the walls will remain
10 bear the weight of another century,
ana the reminder of one of the oldest
landmarks. OF which so few remain.
The main entrance to the building is
on the south face, capacious and ample.
On line and parallel with the east
END ran the county road, now known
as Liberty street. This thoroughfare
constituted the only avenue OF ingress
10 the seat of Justice at a time when
steam and electrical agency, telegraph
and telephone were undreamed of. and
our countrymen We're content and
happy as they trudged along in such
conveyance as were at their command
without fear OF highwaymen, feeling
conscious OF their immunity from harm.
PLEASANT MEMORIES.
Still around this old building cIuster
pleasant memories. when. as the oasis
amid deep tangled wildwood, it was the
| attractive spot towards which the peo-
PIE OF the county gravtated. and at
which social and friendly intercourse
ana unalloyed hospitality triumphed
Long may It's venerated walls remain
as synonymous with justice.
| j. w. H. W