Nelson County is named for Thomas Nelson, who was a governor of Virginia and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Augusta County
E – Albemarle County and Buckingham County
W – Amherst County and Rockbridge County
Created: December 25, 1807 
County Seat:
Cablesville 1807 – 1808
Lovington 1808 – present
Old County Courthouse – Lovington
Location: 84 Court Street / Main Street
Built: 1808 – 1810
Style: Greek Revival
Architect: Sheldon Crostwait
Contractor: George Varnum.
Description: The building faces south and is a two story white colored stuccoed brick structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Lovington. The rectangular shaped building is located on the spacious landscaped Courthouse Square with the new courthouse on the north side. The south front has five arches on the first story with a recessed entrance. On the north side are east and west wings with arches. On the hipped roof is an octagonal wood cupola with steep green colored roof. There are two additions: one of ten feet attached to the rear of the original structure and the other is a large lateral wing across the rear of the first addition. Both of these additions were constructed in 1940. The building was remodeled in 1968. In 2015 to 2016, the building was renovated. The architect was Jim Vernon of Architectural Partners and the contractor was Jamerson-Lewis Construction.
County Courthouse – Lovington
Location: 84 Court Street / Main Street
Built: 2006 – 2008
Style: Modern
Architect: Randy Vaughan of Wiley & Wilson Inc.
Contractor: Blair Construction
Description: The building faces west and is a two story red and white colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building is located on the north side of the old courthouse in the center of Lovington. The west front has a large brick arch with recessed glass entrance. The building extends east and south with hipped green colored roof.
History: The first courthouse was Henry Key’s Ordinary in Cablesville erected in 1761 and which became the courthouse for Amherst County and continued in 1807 as the county courthouse. The building became a tavern and burned in 1917. The county seat was moved to Lovington in 1808. The second courthouse was built in 1808 to 1810 in Lovington and is still standing. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 2006 to 2008.
Old County Courthouse – Lovington
County Courthouse – Lovington
Photos taken 2013