Henrico in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Ziontown Community
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, September 28, 2023
1. Ziontown Community Marker
Inscription.
Ziontown Community. . The Ziontown Community is located on Ridge Road at Fountain Lane, extending south and ending at River Road. It was founded by Henry Pryor who was born in 1825 in Albemarle, Virginia. Pryor, an enslaved man, was brought to Henrico County when he was willed to Elmsie Higginbotham of Ravenwood, a nearby plantation. In 1870, Pryor purchased five acres of land and named his settlement Ziontown, meaning Heavenly Place. The community prospered and thrived well into the 1960s and contained about fifty neatly built, well-painted houses with up to 275 residents. Pryor was appointed Postmaster of the Rio Vista Post Office from August 1882 to February 1886. He died in 1900 and is buried on the Higginbotham Farm. To his descendant family and residents, he is a celebrated hero, visionary, pioneer and leader.
The Ziontown Community is located on Ridge Road at Fountain Lane, extending south and ending at River Road. It was founded by Henry Pryor who was born in 1825 in Albemarle, Virginia. Pryor, an enslaved man, was brought to Henrico County when he was willed to Elmsie Higginbotham of Ravenwood, a nearby plantation. In 1870, Pryor purchased five acres of land and named his settlement Ziontown, meaning Heavenly Place. The community prospered and thrived well into the 1960s and contained about fifty neatly built, well-painted houses with up to 275 residents. Pryor was appointed Postmaster of the Rio Vista Post Office from August 1882 to February 1886. He died in 1900 and is buried on the Higginbotham Farm. To his descendant family and residents, he is a celebrated hero, visionary, pioneer and leader.
Erected 2020 by County of Henrico. (Marker Number HC-45.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 37° 35.024′ N, 77° 33.393′ W. Marker is in Henrico, Virginia, in Henrico County. Marker is at the intersection of Ridge Road and Ziontown Road, on the left when traveling west on Ridge Road. The marker is located across the street
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from St. Jude’s Anglican Church (REC). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8102 Ridge Road, Henrico VA 23229, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . A Place Called Ziontown. (Submitted on October 1, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, September 28, 2023
2. Ziontown Community Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 1, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
