Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Poplar Lawn
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009
1. Poplar Lawn Marker
Poplar Lawn is now known as Central Park. Here the Petersburg Volunteers camped in October 1812, before leaving for the Canadian border. Here Lafayette was greeted with music and speeches in 1824. The place was bought by the city in 1844. Volunteer companies enlisted here, April 19, 1861. In the siege of 1864-65 a hospital stood here.
Virginia Conservation & Development Commission
For the City of Petersburg 1931
Erected 1931 by Virginia Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number QA-5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Lafayette’s Farewell Tour, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1764.
Location. 37° 13.322′ N, 77° 24.061′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of South Sycamore Street (U.S. 301) and East Fillmore Street, on the right when traveling north on South Sycamore Street. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Drilling Ground (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); McKenney House (about 500 feet away); Earliest Known Public High School for African Americans in Virginia (about 600 feet away); Peabody High School (about 700 feet away); Weddell-McCabe-Chisholm House (about 700 feet away); First Baptist Church (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.
Also see . . . Poplar Lawn Historic District. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on November 11, 2021.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009
2. Corner of S Sycamore St & E Fillmore St.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009
3. Poplar Lawn Markers.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009
4. Confederate Hospital Marker.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009
5. Pocahontas Basin Inscription.
Erected by the Frances Bland Randolph Chapter D.A.R. 1914
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009
6. Pocahontas Basin.
The basin is 5 feet in diameter with an oval excavation 12 inches across and 12 inches deep. Local legend has it that Pocahontas bathed from it. Originally located on the banks of the Appomattox River, it was moved several times before being placed here in the early 1900s.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009
7. East end of Poplar Lawn.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2020
8. Poplar Lawn Historic District
National Register of Historic Places
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,691 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 3, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 7. submitted on April 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 8. submitted on May 9, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
