Dinwiddie County, established in 1752 and steeped in rich Virginia history, has played a pivotal role in the development of Southside Virginia and the nation. From its early settlement and agricultural roots to its strategic importance during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Dinwiddie’s story is woven with resilience, community, and transformation. This page offers a collection of historical narratives, records, and resources that highlight the county’s people, places, and events—preserving Dinwiddie’s legacy for future generations of researchers and descendants.
| 1. | Pre-1600s – Land inhabited by Siouan-speaking tribes, including the Appamattuck |
| 2. | 1650s–1700 – Early English settlement expands west from the Appomattox River |
| 3. | 1703 – Bristol Parish established, covering present-day Dinwiddie |
| 4. | 1720 – Prince George County formed; Dinwiddie region becomes its western portion |
| 5. | 1752 – Dinwiddie County officially formed from Prince George County; named for Lt. Gov. Robert Dinwiddie |
| 6. | 1775–1783 – Dinwiddie men serve in the American Revolution |
| 7. | 1781 – Lafayette marches through Dinwiddie during the Yorktown campaign |
| 8. | 1784 – Petersburg incorporated from portions of Dinwiddie, Prince George, and Chesterfield Counties |
| 9. | 1812 – Dinwiddie men serve in the War of 1812 |
| 10. | 1833 – Petersburg & Roanoke Railroad completed through northeastern Dinwiddie |
| 11. | 1840s – Agricultural expansion and growth of tobacco warehouses |
| 12. | 1860–1865 – Dinwiddie men serve in the Civil War |
| 13. | 1862–1865 – Dinwiddie becomes a major Civil War theater |
| 14. | March 31, 1865 – Battle of Dinwiddie Court House |
| 15. | April 1, 1865 – Battle of Five Forks, the decisive turning point before Petersburg’s fall |
| 16. | April 2, 1865 – Federal breakthrough at Petersburg; Confederate evacuation |
| 17. | 1870 – First statewide public school system established, including Dinwiddie |
| 18. | 1880s–1890s – Growth of Black landownership and post-Reconstruction communities |
| 19. | 1900–1930 – School consolidation begins; Rosenwald schools constructed |
| 20. | 1917–1918 – Dinwiddie men serve in the Great War (World War I) |
| 21. | 1935–1937 – Virginia Historical Inventory Project documents historic sites |
| 22. | 1942 – Land incorporated into Camp Pickett (now Fort Barfoot) |
| 23. | 1954–1965 – School desegregation era in Dinwiddie |
| 24. | 1971 – Interstate 85 completed through Dinwiddie County |
| 25. | 1985 – Pamplin Park Foundation begins major preservation of Civil War sites |
| 26. | 1994 – Pamplin Historical Park opens; Five Forks Battlefield joins the National Park Service |
| 27. | 1996 – Dinwiddie County USGenWeb site established |
| 28. | 2000s – Growing population and expansion of heritage tourism |
| 28. | 2009-2010 - A Survey of Historic Architecture in Dinwiddie County documents historical sites |
| 29. | 2020 – Expanded national recognition of Five Forks Battlefield |
Last updated: December 10, 2025
If you have questions, contributions, or problems with this site, email:
Coordinator - Ed Olsen
State Coordinator - Jeff Kemp
If you have questions or problems with this site, email the County Coordinator.
Please do not ask for specific research on your family. I am unable to do personal research.
