City of Norfolk Cemeteries , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

West Point Cemetery

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, July 1, 2018

1. West Point Cemetery Marker.

Inscription. This historically African American burial place, first known as Potter’s Field, was established as Calvary Cemetery in 1873 and renamed West Point Cemetery in 1885. James E. Fuller, Norfolk’s first African American councilman, secured a section for the burial of black Union Civil War veterans in 1886. Nearly 60 soldiers and sailors were interred there. Fuller led efforts to mark the site with a monument, completed in 1920, that honors African Americans who served in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. At its top is a statue of Sgt. William H. Carney, Norfolk native and the first black Medal of Honor recipient. West Point Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KV-25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 36° 51.621′ N, 76° 17.118′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in City of Norfolk Cemeteries. It is on East Princess Anne Road west of

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Salter Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 238 E Princess Anne Rd, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named West Point Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); West Point Monument at Elmwood Cemetery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); West Point Monument (about 400 feet away); Fort Tar (about 800 feet away); Elmwood Cemetery (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Elmwood Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Cedar Grove Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Ella J. Baker (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Pauline Adams (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. A photo of the West Point Monument and more detail information are provided.

Also see . . .
1. West Point Cemetery - City of Norfolk, Virginia - Official Website. (Submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia.)
2. Virginia Landmark Register. (Submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia.)

West Point Cemetery marker, facing west along E. Princess Anne Road. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, July 1, 2018

2. West Point Cemetery marker, facing west along E. Princess Anne Road.

West Point Cemetery marker, facing east. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, July 1, 2018

3. West Point Cemetery marker, facing east.

Pictured right is the West Point Cemetery marker, erected by the City of Norfolk.

West Point Cemetery sign. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cynthia L. Clark, July 1, 2018

4. West Point Cemetery sign.

The red brick wall (right background) initially served to separate the burial grounds of West Point from Elmwood Cemetery.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 809 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 2, 2018, by Cynthia L. Clark of Suffolk, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.