Southwest Quadrant in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Penny Hill Cemetery

Established 1796

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 24, 2021

1. Penny Hill Cemetery Marker

Inscription. The Alexandria's Board of Trustees established Penny Hill Cemetery in 1796 as the town's municipal burial ground. The cemetery became the final resting place for indigent and unidentified people in the City, as well as residents. Because nearly all of the burials are unmarked and only partial records survive, it is unknown how many people are buried at Penny Hill. Research indicates at least 1,400 burials, and likely more. As early as the 1860s, the City reported that Penny Hill was running out of space for new burials. The Alexandria City Council closed Penny Hill to new burials in 1976.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1796.

Location. 38° 47.925′ N, 77° 3.31′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in the Southwest Quadrant. It is on South Payne Street just south of Franklin Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern

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Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Bethel Cemetery (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Courtesy of Bethel Cemetery, Est. 1885 (about 600 feet away); Old Presbyterian Meeting House (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Bethel Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Southwest 1 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Douglass Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); A National Cemetery System (approx. ¼ mile away); In Honor of Those Who Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Penny Hill Cemetery entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 24, 2021

2. Penny Hill Cemetery entrance

Alexandria Community Remembrance Project signage adjacent to the sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 24, 2021

3. Alexandria Community Remembrance Project signage adjacent to the sign

This sign is part of a project to document locations in the City of Alexandria significant to racial terror lynchings of African Americans in the Jim Crow era.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 535 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 24, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.