Mathews County | US Courthouses

Mathews County is named for Thomas Mathews, who was a British commander in the war of the Austrian Succession.

Surrounding County Courthouses:

N – Middlesex County

E – Northampton County

S – York County

W – Gloucester County

Created: December 16. 1790

County Seat:

Mathews 1791 – present

Old County Courthouse – Mathews

Location: 27 Court Street / Church Street

Built: 1792 – 1795

Style: Federal

Architect: Richard Bilups

Contractor: Richard Bilups

Description: The building faces east and is a one story red colored brick structure. The “T” shaped building is located on the landscaped grounds at the northeast corner of the Courthouse Square with other county buildings in the center of Mathews. The east front has a central entrance with fanlight above. Above is a gabled roof with large fanlight. The west wing has dormers on the roof and the roof is hipped. The interior has woodwork and the former courtroom is located in the west wing. On the south side of the building is the Old Clerk’s Office designed and built by William H Brown in 1859. Along the south side of the square are the County Office Building constructed in the 1950’s and Old County Jail, on the west side is the Sheriff’s Office built in 1792 as the jail and on the north side is the Public Library constructed in 1930.

See: National Register of Historic Places – Mathews County Courthouse Square

County Courthouse – Mathews

Location: 10622 Buckley Hall Road / St. Ives Street

Built: 2003 – 2006

Style: Modern

Architect: Moseley Architects, Inc.

Contractor: Dobson Construction Corporation

Description: The building faces east and is a one story red-brown colored brick and concrete structure. The “T” shaped building is located on landscaped grounds to the north of the center of Mathews. The north front has a porch with three arches and pediment with fanlight at the roof line. The center section projects from the main building which extends north and south. On the center of the roof is a high square white colored cupola with open section at the top. A white colored band runs below the hipped roof. The building houses the County Circuit Court, County General District Court and County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court of the 9th Judicial Curcuit.

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

History: The county was created in 1790 and Mathews was selected as the county seat. The county officers first met at the home of Thomas Williams. The first courthouse was built in 1792 to 1795 and is still standing. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 2003 to 2006.