Shockoe Bottom in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Edgar Allan Poe Pedestal
Basalt, about 1956
We regret to inform you that this is not Edgar Allan Poe's tombstone. The half-ton basalt slab on display here was found in a Richmond landfill by two boys, Carlton Allen and Michael Short, in the early 1970s.
The most likely theory about the stone's origin is that it was an early, unused version of the base for the 1956 bronze statue of Poe at the Virginia Capitol.
[Caption:]
Image of Allen and Short with their new Poe discovery from a 1970s Richmond newspaper article.
Erected by The Poe Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.
Location. 37° 31.929′ N, 77° 25.569′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Shockoe Bottom. It is on East Main Street (U.S. 60) west of North 20th Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker hangs on the grounds of the Poe Museum near the fencing at the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1912 E Main St, Richmond VA 23223, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia. It is also in the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Oldest House (a few steps from this marker); Early Quakers in Richmond (within shouting distance of this marker); The Florida Hospital of Richmond, Virginia (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); I Can/t Breathe (about 300 feet away); Confederate General Hospital No. 12 (about 400 feet away); Francis Asbury (about 400 feet away); Franklin Street Burying Grounds (about 500 feet away); Masons' Hall (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 387 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
