Old Town in Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Robert Orrick

(ca. 1827-1902)

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 20, 2022

1. Robert Orrick Marker

Inscription. African American community leader Robert Orrick, born enslaved, began a freight-hauling business before he became free in 1863. After the Civil War, he became one of the first African Americans awarded a contract to carry the U.S. mail (1865), and he rented a building to the Freedmen's Bureau to serve as a school. He prospered as the owner of a major livery stable and was a landowner, farmer, and minister. Orrick donated materials to rebuild a Methodist church in nearby Stephens City, later called Orrick Chapel. The African American cemetery in Winchester, which he expanded, was also named for him. Orrick purchased this stone house in 1891, and his livery stable stood on the adjoining lot.

Erected 2022 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-4 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 39° 11.035′ N, 78° 10.047′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. It is in Old Town. It is on South Braddock Street (U.S. 50) south of West Boscawen Street (U.S. 50), on the right when traveling

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south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 S Braddock St, Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Braddock Street United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Little-Holiday House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomas, Sixth Lord Fairfax of Cameron (about 400 feet away); Washington Becomes a Burgess for Frederick County (about 500 feet away); The Godfrey Miller Home (about 500 feet away); Braddock Cannon (about 500 feet away); Washington’s Office (about 500 feet

Robert Orrick Marker And Surroundings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Linda Walcroft, October 3, 2025

2. Robert Orrick Marker And Surroundings

away); Cannon Used by George Washington (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Braddock Street Methodist Church (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 2, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 2. submitted on October 3, 2025, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.