Veterans Memorial Relocation Slated For Fall Completion
The long-anticipated rehabilitation of Courthouse Square in downtown Lexington is slated to begin the week of July 7.
“This transformative project aims to revitalize one of Lexington’s most historic and cherished public spaces, enhancing its accessibility, aesthetics and functionality for the community,” said Jesse S. Lyons, chair of the project’s executive committee..
The project is being undertaken by two local contractors, Robert L. Faulkner & Son Inc. and Garrett Landscapes. They will be working in close collaboration with local landscape architect Arthur Bartenstein of ABL Landscape Architecture.
“Their combined expertise ensures a thoughtful and respectful approach to the site’s historical significance,” said Lyons. “The project’s executive committee will also hold regular meetings with the contractors to ensure a continuous channel of communication with the local community about the progress of the rehabilitation.”
A key focus of the renovation is the relocation of the Rockbridge County Veterans Memorial, which will be moved approximately 25 feet north to a more prominent position directly in front of the historic courthouse.
“This adjustment will both enhance the memorial’s visibility and integrate it more cohesively into the redesigned square,” said Lyons. “The project team is committed to completing this relocation in time for a rededication ceremony on Veterans Day on Nov. 11, marking the memorial’s 25th anniversary.”
The project’s principal completion date is slated for the first months of 2026, in time to mark the sesquicentennial of the United States and of Lexington and Rockbridge County. The city and county were established by an act of the General Assembly nearly 250 years ago to place a court between Harrisonburg and Roanoke – on the very spot where the former county courthouse stands today.
The comprehensive scope of the $1 million project includes the following:
• Reconfiguring the square into a three-tiered open space to facilitate community gatherings.
• Installing new brick pathways and landscaping to improve aesthetics and usability.
• Replacing steep staircases with ramps to ensure ADA compliance and accessibility for all visitors.
• Relocating the World War I-era German cannon to a position adjacent to the Veterans Memorial, enhancing the site’s historical narrative. The cannon was Lexington’s first “war memorial” and has been in a similar downtown location for 100 years.
This initiative has garnered substantial community support, noted Lyons. Lead sponsors to date include Washington and Lee University, Virginia Military Institute, the city of Lexington, Adamson Development Corp. LLC, Rockbridge County, Kappa Alpha Order National Administrative Office, Historic Lexington Foundation, Blue Ridge Garden Club, and the Rockbridge Community Health Foundation.
“This primarily private investment in a public space in historic downtown Lexington very well may represent the largest such investment in our community’s history,” said Lyons.
“We greatly thank all parties, from municipalities for agreement and support, to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, to the Blue Ridge Garden Club, and more – not to mention the sponsors and donors who are so very generous,” Lyons added. “It is a true statement to say we do not have enough space to thank everyone who made this possible.”
Additional information about the project, including regular progress updates, can be found on the Main Street Lexington website at www.mainstreetlexington.org/court-house-square. html.
MSL will announce additional fundraising opportunities in the coming months. Individuals and organizations interested in contributing to the project are encouraged to contact Main Street Lexington by email at [email protected] or by phone at (540) 319-4181.
“This revitalization effort represents a meaningful investment in downtown Lexington and the greater Rockbridge County area, honoring its rich history while creating a welcoming and functional space for generations to come,” said Lyons.
