Powhatan, VA

Powhatan is the county seat of Powhatan County, a Virginia place that started under the name Scottville. The county was created in 1777, the first courthouse went up in 1778, and the immediate community took its early name from General Charles Scott. The name changed to Powhatan in 1836, invoking the paramount chief associated with the region. Before the courthouse moved to the new site, the first official court met at Mosby Tavern, a 1740s house that also served as courthouse and jail. The local read is courthouse, tavern, and a name that reaches back to Virginia's earliest colonial story.