KING WILLIAM — Officials in King William County are assessing the damage after one of the most historic buildings in the county took a direct hit from lightning during heavy storms on Saturday.
The chimney of the old jail was struck, and possibly the administration building, the county said in a news release. Technology and phone systems in the administrative building were knocked out by the storm.
The old jail is used as a conference room and restroom facilities.
Bricks were sprayed all over the ground below the building, the release stated.
The lightning on July 8 missed the buildings next to the old jail, including the historic courthouse and the museum. The historic courthouse is the oldest courts building in continuous use in the United States. Judicial proceedings still take place in the courthouse from time to time.
While the storm temporarily knocked out technology systems in the government complex, electricity was not lost to any of the buildings. Phone lines were still out as of Monday.
King William Fire & EMS surveyed the building and found no evidence of fire.
The historical building struck by lightning has no regularly scheduled use, but the museum is open every Sunday from 1-4 p.m. except on certain holiday weekends.
David Macaulay, [email protected]
