COURTHOUSE HISTORIC DISTRICT
Petersburg’s commercial and governmental centers are preserved in this district. As a result of Petersburg’s devastating fire in 1815, the city’s contractors and brickmasons began building in brick and stucco. The district contains many of Petersburg’s noteworthy structures, including the 1838 Petersburg Courthouse, designed by New York architect, Calvin Pollard; the 1843 Tabb Street Presbyterian Church, built by Dabney Cosby and designed by Thomas U. Walter; Ammi Young’s 1856 Customs House; and the 1855 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Many other significant buildings were constructed between 1815 and the mid 20th century. Some of the architectural styles that are evident are Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Renaissance Revival, Neo-Classical, Classical Revival and Chicago School.
BATTERSEA/WEST HIGH STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT
The working class neighborhood of Prides Field and Battersea encompasses one community. There is a locally defined historic district along West High Street to Battersea Mansion. The 1820’s to 1840’s appear to have been a boom period for this area with the completion of the canal and following the 1815 fire. Most of the surviving houses are simple late 19th century, two-story, detached frame dwellings adorned with Italianate brackets and turned posts on the porches. These houses are vernacular in character, and through use of mass produced millwork, display the architectural fashion of the time and portray middle class values. The houses are set close together on shallow lots giving the neighborhood an urban quality. Several 18th century structures appear to be extant, including an outbuilding of Pride’s Tavern. The Upper Appomattox River Canal and turning basin are situated on the eastern edge of this district.