Halifax County Historical Society

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An Architectural History of Halifax County, Virginia

Halifax County, formed in 1752 from Lunenburg contains a remarkable history rich in architecture and in tradition. From the Staunton River on the north to the North Carolina line on the south, Halifax County has much to offer its community. Its tobacco heritage includes the first seven National Tobacco Festivals from 1935 through 1941 and the county was once the largest tobacco market in Virginia. Textile mills, churches, and schools helped to shape the area. Several historic districts are now a part of the county with others seeking the same recognition. Small communities sprang up. Some have disappeared but others still play a major role in the county and its history. 

The hardbound book contains:

• 523 pages with >1,300 illustrations.

• An overview of the county's history and architectural development, with a discussion of building forms, traditions, and styles.

• An overview of each town's history and architectural development.

• Brief histories of past and current communities.

• Descriptions and photographs of about 350 important buildings surveyed, including houses, outbuildings, schools, churches, commercial buildings, and bridges.

• End notes, bibliography, index, appendix, and glossary with illustrations.

 2016 (1st Ed), 8 ½" X 11", Hardbound, 523 pages
$65.00

All sales benefit the Society

It is hoped that this publication in some way will honor all who have served in WWI and those who continue to serve our great nation. The number of Americans killed during WWI was high, numbering 116,516 with 204, 002 wounded and 3350 missing in action. Over 80,000 Virginians served and Halifax County furnished over 1600. The Halifax County Historical Society hopes that residents in other communities will be inspired to investigate and find as many residents as possible who served from their respective communities during this and other conflicts.

Every effort has been taken to make the information as accurate as possible, while recognizing there will be errors and omissions. Some records of servicemen were easy to locate and others had less information due to the loss of records. The number who served is staggering and some have not been located. There are incorrect records with conflicting dates, spelling of names, and residences, but every effort has been made to verify them.

Servicemen in this publication include those born in Halifax County, residing here most of their lives, enlisting here, dying here, or buried here. Included are various photographs of military markers. Dozens sunk into the ground were shoveled out, and in the next few years may not be visible. The author encourages family members to make sure every serviceman has a headstone and preferably a military one.

Society Offers Book On Cosby Family Builders

 The Cosby Family Builders—Virginia and North Carolinacovers three generations of the Cosby family who were brick masons, builders and architects of dozens of historic buildings in Virginia and North Carolina from the early nineteenth century to the dawning of the twentieth. These properties include churches, homes and outbuildings, college facilities, courthouses, jail complexes and other commercial buildings. In Halifax County, Virginia there are numerous structures known to have been built by members of the Cosby family and in the Town of Halifax, Virginia alone, there are nine properties attributed to this family of builders.

 Authors of The Cosby Family Builders—Virginia and North Carolina, Barbara Bass and Ginger Gentry, completed extensive research to find primary sources to document information as accurately as possible. Lack of records and misinformation regarding builders of certain facilities and/or family recollections, however, presented many difficulties. This hardbound, 132 page-book documents over ninety properties in Virginia and North Carolina. It contains over 100 images and costs $35.00. It may be purchased by downloading the purchase form at the beginning of this section. Please enclose your check for the book and include shipping/mailing as noted. It is also currently available at the Peddler’s Market in Halifax. For more information, contact Society President Barbara Bass at 434-579-0083.

This booklet was compiled in 2003 for an exhibit set up by the Halifax County-South Boston Museum focusing on the success of the local racing industry in Halifax County, Virginia. Because of numerous requests for reprints, the Halifax County Historical Society is making this publication available again. The soft bound edition features a collection of newspaper articles beginning in 1957 and running through 1967. Copies are available via our website publications form, as well as at the Halifax County-South Boston Museum, the South Boston-Halifax County Visitor Center and the Peddler’s Market. 110 pages, soft bound.

Cost: $10