Courthouse Hill

Site of Black's Fort Marker (Virginia Conservation and Development Commission, 1927)

Past the intersection with Pecan St., Main (now East Main) climbs to the commercial center of Old Abingdon and the County Courthouse. Along the way are a number of historical/culrural reference points. Though not as immediately reconizable as The Barter and the Martha, on the North side and just before Brewer's Alley, the "Law Office" and the Andrew Russell House are two of the more iconic structures to be found in Old Abingdon.

Law Office Marker, #14 Old Abingdon Assn.

Originally the office of Gen. Francis Preston, "[t]his combination house/office was built in 1815, with original logs undeneath the siding." In addition, John B. Floyd had an office here from 1830-1863. "During the three decades his law practice occupied the building, Floyd was governor of Virginia, President James Buchanan's Secretary of War, and a Confederate brigadier general. Other notable occupants include Judge R.M. Page's insurance office (1880-91) and Jack Barrow and George V. Litchfield's medical practice in 1915." ["Law Office," Historical Marker Database]

Just next door is the Russell House (intersection of Main and Brewer's Alley). "One of Abingdon's oldest, still standing buildings, the western part of this house was built in 1792 by Andrew Russell, a prominent local citizen." [King, p. 9]

According to a marker on the house (unattributed) Andrew Russell was Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court  for fifty years (1791-1841). The marker also states that the eastern portion of the house, which is currently a tea shop and boutique, was added by Samuel Honaker in 1876. [Russell House Historical Marker]

Cultural aside: Dr. Samuel E. Miller, a prominent physician and, in later life, a well-respected poet lived nearby until his death in 2010. A collection of his poetry, Second Sight, was published in 2004. A few of his poems can be found online as part of the Appalachian Poets and Writers exhibit.