Upper Shockoe Valley in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Negro Burial Ground
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 24, 2009
1. Old Negro Burial Ground Marker
The land beyond this tunnel was once part of a cemetery for slaves and poor free blacks. The exact size and shape is unknown as is the number of persons once interred. What happened to their remains is a mystery as well.
This was also the site of the city hanging grounds. Slave rebellion leader Gabriel Prosser was executed here. Several stones from the gallows platform were used in the construction of the Broad St. overpass. You can see them on the other side of the tunnel, to your right. They are the largest blocks in the wall.
Erected by James River Park Fund.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Law Enforcement.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 32.226′ N, 77° 25.673′ W. Marker was in Richmond, Virginia. It was in Upper Shockoe Valley. It could be reached from East Marshall Street 0.1 miles west of North 16th Street. The marker is located in a tunnel underneath Broad St. The burial grounds site is in the parking lot south of E Marshall St. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Central Virginia. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Richmond's African Burial Ground (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Lumpkins Jail (was about 400 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); The Slave Trade In Richmond (was about 400 feet away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been painted over with the linked "guerilla marker."
Also see . . . Burial Gounds for Negroes - Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project. (Submitted on December 28, 2009.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 24, 2009
2. Tunnel underneath Broad Street
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 18, 2010
3. Site of the city gallows or "hanging grounds".
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 18, 2010
4. Stones from the gallows platform were used in the construction of the Broad Street overpass.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,956 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 28, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on February 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
