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.
Penny Hill Cemetery. Established 1796. 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.
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. Marker 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.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 24, 2021
2. Penny Hill Cemetery entrance
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 275 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 24, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
