Buena Vista is named for the Buena Vista Company, which founded an iron mine in the area and established the town for its laborers.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
W – Rockbridge Count
Independent City 
Created: February 15, 1892
Courthouse – Buena Vista
Location: 2039 Sycamore Avenue / 21st Street
Built: 1968 – 1969
Style: Modern
Architect: Hinnant, Addison & Hinnant of Lexington
Contractor: C L Lewis Construction
Description: The building faces east and is a two story dark red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Buena Vista. The center section rises higher than the north and south wings and has long arched windows. The roof line is flat. The Circuit Court is in the south section and the District Court is in the north section. The building houses the Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court of the 25th Judicial Circuit. The building also houses the city offices.
See: The architect, Hinnant, Adison & Hinnant of Lexington, designed courthouses in Botecourt County, Grayson County and Shenandoah County.
Old Courthouse – Buena Vista
Location: 2110 Magnolia Avenue / 21st Street
Built: 1890
Style: Federal
Architect: Buena Vista Company
Contractor: Buena Vista Company
Description: The building faces west and is a two and a half story structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Buena Vista to the east of the courthouse. The west front has a central entrance on the first story with small canopy above. A central tower rises in the center with mansard roof. The windows are arched with two or three sections. The mansard roof has dormers. The architect and the contractor was Buena Vista Company. The building was constructed as the Land Office for the Buena Vista Company and converted in 1889 to a courthouse.
See: The 25th Judicial Circuit includes Alleghany County, Augusta County, Bath County, Botetourt County, Clifton Forge, Covington, Craig County, Highland County, Lexington, Rockbridge County, Staunton and Waynesboro.
History: The independent city was created in 1892 from Rockbridge County. The first courthouse which is still standing was built in 1890 and occupied as a courthouse in 1889. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1968 to 1969.
Courthouse – Buena Vista
Old Courthouse – Buena Vista
photos taken 2013