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Place Name
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Petersburg
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Place Status (Type)
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city
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Population
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38,386 (1990)
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Location
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Virginia, United States, North America
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Latitude
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37°12'N
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Longitude
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77°23'W
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Petersburg
, independent city (
23 sq mi/60 sq km; 1990 pop.
38,386), SE Va., on Appomattox R., separate from adjacent Chesterfield,
Dinwiddie, and Prince George cos.; 37°12'N 77°23'W. Port of entry,
important tobacco market. Mfg. (chemicals, pharmaceuticals, furniture,
structural steel fabrication, lumber, printing and publishing, paper
goods, medical equip.); agr. area (grain, tobacco, peanuts, soybeans;
livestock); tourism. Ft. Henry built here (1646) on Native Amer.
village site, followed by a trading post and, in 1784, 3
villages—Petersburg, Blandford, and Pocahontas—were
combined as Petersburg town. Petersburg, guarding S approaches to
Richmond, was under siege during Civil War (June 15, 1864-April 3,
1865). Nearby Confederate victory of Battle of “The Crater” (July
30, 1864). Union victory at Five Forks (April 1, 1865) led to
a general assault on Confederate Petersburg lines; the city fell on
April 3, 1865, the same day Union forces entered Richmond. Lee
surrendered the remnants of his army at Appomattox Courthouse
1 week later. Petersburg Natl. Battlefield (est. 1926), mainly in E
part of the city, encompasses much of the battle scene; many old
earthworks and tunnels are preserved, including “The Crater.”
Blandford Cemetery (30,000 Confederate dead); Blandford Church
(1735-1737); Center Hill Mansion (1823; mus.); Gen. William Mahone's
home, now part of the public lib.; Siege Mus.; historic Farmers Bank.
Va. State Univ. to N in Ettrick; Richard Bland Col., Col. of William
and Mary (2-year) to S. Poplar Green Natl. Cemetery to SW. Petersburg
Airport to W. Ft. Lee Military Reservation to E. Inc. 1850.
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