Falls Church, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Hangman's Tree
November 6, 2010
1. Hangman's Tree Marker
Hangman's Tree
According to legend, an old oak
used by Col. Mosby to hang Union
spies after the Battle of
The Peach Orchard during the
Civil War.
The tree was removed 1968.
Marker by the Falls Chruch
Historical Commission
1968
Erected 1968 by Falls Church Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.
Location. 38° 53.113′ N, 77° 10.527′ W. Marker is in Falls Church, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of West Broad Street (Virginia Route 7) and North Virginia Avenue, on the right when traveling north on West Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Falls Church VA 22046, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Virginia Training School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cherry Hill (about 500 feet away); Falls Church Home Front (about 600 feet away); Living in Fear (about 700 feet away); George Mason
this page online
Also see . . .
1. The Battle of the Peach Orchard. Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (Submitted on November 6, 2010.)
2. Falls Church History: The Hangman’s Tree. Falls Church Times, July 5, 2009. (Submitted on November 6, 2010.)
Additional commentary.
1. The Battle of the Peach Orchard
According to local tradition, there was a Civil War skirmish in a nearby Cherry Hill Farm peach orchard.
— Submitted November 6, 2010.
2. Chronology Problem with the Marker
The "Battle of the Peach Orchard" was a running 2-3 month skirmish between Union and Confederate pickets in the peach orchards on Munson's Hill between the time of the Union retreat from Manassas in July 1861, and the Confederate withdrawal from Northern Virginia to Centreville in September 1861.
Mosby organized
November 6, 2010
2. Hangman's Tree Marker
There was definitely a big tree there, however. A picture from the 1940s is available here, and it was clearly a very, very big tree (see "Falls Church History: The Hangman’s Tree" link above)
— Submitted July 23, 2014, by Brian Cubbage of Alexandria, Virginia.
November 6, 2010
3. Hangman's Tree Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2010. This page has been viewed 2,222 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2010. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
