Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Peabody High School

(1870-1970)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 1, 2013

1. Peabody High School Marker

Inscription. Peabody High School, originally the Colored High School, was established in 1870 in the old First Baptist Church located on Harrison Street. The second school was built here on this site facing Filmore Street. The current site of the school is on Wesley Street. Peabody is one of the earliest publicly funded high schools for African Americans in Virginia. The City of Petersburg had begun to develop a public school system as early as 1868 and provided the funding needed to build city schools and pay teachers salaries. Alfred Pryor became the school's first African American principal in 1882.

Erected 2008 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number QA-27.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 37° 13.375′ N, 77° 24.198′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Harrison Street and Liberty Street, on the left when traveling south on Harrison Street. Touch for map.

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Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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: First Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named First Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Prince Hall Masons in Virginia (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gothic Cottage (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Earliest Known Public High School for African Americans in Virginia (about 400 feet away); McKenney House (about 400 feet away); Weddell-McCabe-Chisholm House (about 500 feet away); Virginia Voters League (about 600 feet away).

Harrison St & Liberty St image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 1, 2013

2. Harrison St & Liberty St

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Earliest Known Public High School for African Americans in Virginia (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Peabody Building of the Peabody-Williams School. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on November 11, 2021.)

First Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 6, 2026

3. First Baptist Church

The original home of Peabody School is this church, just up the street from the marker. The church has two of its own associated markers from the Virginia Highway Markers program, one relevant to its history as a congregation and religious site (shown), and the other relevant to its role in Grand Masonry.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,706 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on June 14, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.