North Side in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, June 15, 2022
1. Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground Marker
Inscription.
Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground. . The City of Richmond opened the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground here in 1816 to replace the Burial Ground for Negroes in Shockoe Bottom, The new cemetery, laid out along the northern end of Fifth Street near the city's poorhouse, began as two adjoining one-acre plots, one for free people of color and one for the enslaved. The grounds expanded greatly over time, eventually spreading down the slopes and into the valley. With an estimated 22,000 interments, it was among the largest cemeteries for free and enslaved African Americans in the U.S. during its era. After closing the cemetery in 1879 due to over-crowding, the city repurposed the site, making the burial ground unrecognizable today.
The City of Richmond opened the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground here in 1816 to replace the Burial Ground for Negroes in Shockoe Bottom, The new cemetery, laid out along the northern end of Fifth Street near the city's poorhouse, began as two adjoining one-acre plots, one for free people of color and one for the enslaved. The grounds expanded greatly over time, eventually spreading down the slopes and into the valley. With an estimated 22,000 interments, it was among the largest cemeteries for free and enslaved African Americans in the U.S. during its era. After closing the cemetery in 1879 due to over-crowding, the city repurposed the site, making the burial ground unrecognizable today.
Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-130.)
Location. 37° 33.124′ N, 77° 25.721′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the North Side. Marker is at the intersection of North 5th Street and Hospital Street, on the right when traveling north on North 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1305 N 5th St, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 492 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 15, 2022, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
