COURT SQUARE PARK – LAND DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

The site of the park was once known as “McKee’s Row”, a block of building adjacent to the courthouse with McKee’s Lane nestled between the two. This block used to house 6 buildings, including businesses and residences. At the time of demolition in 1918, the block had 14 residents including 11 African American and 3 Caucasian. The land was condemned and seized by the County in 1914 with the intention of constructing a school on the site. The condemnation of an integrated block was influenced by a 1912 Virginia state law that permitted all cities and town to adopt residential segregation ordinances. Paul Goodloe McIntire purchased the land, both McKee’s Row and McKee’s Lane, in 1918 and donated to the City in 1919 with the intention that it should be a “white’s only” park and house the Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson statue he commissioned, sculpted by Charles Keck in 1921. The park was named Jackson Park after the Confederate General.

COURT SQUARE PARK – PARK DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

• 1919 - Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson statue was commissioned,
• 1921 – The statue was unveiled and the park was named Jackson Park.
• 1921 through present day - The park has served as an extension of the Courthouse grounds, rather than a recreational park, with a brick plaza and benches around the statue, a lawn, paths, minimal landscaping, and mature trees.
• 2017 - The Stonewall Jackson statue came under public condemnation; civil rights rallies held.
• 2017 - The park was renamed Justice Park.
• 2018 – The park was renamed to Court Square Park.
• 2021 - Stonewall Jackson statue was removed.

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