Red Hill in Proffit in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Proffit Historic District

Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 8, 2009

1. Proffit Historic District Marker

Inscription. Ben Brown and other newly freed slaves, who founded the community after the Civil War, first named the settlement Egypt and then Bethel. About 1881, the community became known as Proffit when the Virginia Midland Railway placed a stop here, stimulating further development between 1890 and 1916 by white landowners who bulit along Proffit Road. Prominent reminders of Proffit’s black heritage are Evergreen Baptist Church, built in 1891, and several houses constructed by the Brown and Flannagan families in the 1880s. The district was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1998 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number G-22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 38° 6.342′ N, 78° 25.38′ W. Marker is in Proffit, Virginia, in Albemarle County. It is in Red Hill. Marker is on Proffit Road (County Route 649) near Mossing Ford Lane (County Route 741), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charlottesville VA 22911, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rio Mills (approx. 2.1 miles away); Monacan Indian Village (approx. 2.1 miles away); Skirmish at Rio Hill (approx. 3 miles away); Rio Hill 1864 Skirmish (approx. 3 miles away); Rio Hill (approx. 3 miles away); Free State (approx. 3.1 miles away); Old Springs (approx. 3.9 miles away); Six Miles of Trails (approx. 3.9 miles away).

Also see . . . 17¢ Away from Charlottesville. Interviews with James E. Payne in Proffit Virginia by Mikea Brand, University of Virginia. “The railroad station was far from the house—the one I’m talking about now. The station was torn down, but house is still there. It was two rooms for passengers, a baggage room, and a operator’s room—Morse code. Five trains a day. I think, 3 going south and two going north. 17¢ fare to Charlottesville. Double track then, though. Ain’t but one track down there now. Sidetrack and everything. We used to work on Saturday loading with pulpwood and stuff in it. People go into the mountains, bring pulpwood—you know, to make paper out of. Down there working all Saturday trying to make a couple of quarters.” (Submitted on March 11, 2009.)

Marker at Evergreen Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, March 8, 2009

2. Marker at Evergreen Baptist Church

Site of the 'Wash' Flannagan house image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, November 28, 2009

3. Site of the 'Wash' Flannagan house

The ruins of the Washington 'Wash' Flannagan, one of the earliest residents of Proffit.

Site of the Ben Brown house image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, November 28, 2009

4. Site of the Ben Brown house

The ruins of the home of Ben Brown, one of the earliest residents of Proffit.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,559 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on November 28, 2009, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.