Three sculpture artists have bidded for the assignment of designing a sculpture for the Freedmen Cemetery. Please view the three artists and vote.
The three Artists finalist are: Mario Chiodo, Oakland, CA; Edward Dwight, Denver, Colorado; and Erik Blome, Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Artist #2 – Edward Dwight
You must let your preference known by August 6 to the committee. The public committee will consider all the comments in making the final choice. The winner for the sculptor will be announced in September.
Artist #3 – Erik Blome
Please send your vote to all three e-mail addresses below. Select one of the three artists above. Thanks!
During World War I, the United States armed forces remained segregated. Many African Americans registered for the draft as well as served in WWI. Over a quarter of a million African Americans served in WWI. Many of them were relegated to support roles and did not see combat. However, there were some distinguished units among the African American soldiers, for example the 369th Infantry Regiment known as “Harlem Hell fighters,” stayed on the front lines during the war for six months. One-hundred and seventy-one members of the 369th were awarded the Legion of Merit.
There were other outstanding African American units that served in WWI”
92nd Infantry Division
• 366th Infantry Regiment 93rd Infantry Division
• 369th Infantry Regiment (“Harlem Hell fighters;” formerly the 15th New York National Guard)
• 370th Infantry Regiment (formerly the 8th Illinois)
• 371st Infantry Regiment
• 372nd Infantry Regiment
A complete list of African American units that served in World War I is in Robert J. Dalessandro’s book “Willing Patriots: Men of Color in the First World War.”
Below are the African American Alexandrians with the “D” surnames.
Dabney, Major – born in 1880
Dabney, William B – born February 12, 1888
Dade, Henry – born April 19, 1881
Dade, Hopson Odell – born August 22, 1898
Davis, Albert – born November 15, 1898
Davis, Booth Royal – born November 11, 1883
Davis, Dewey Otis – born September 19, 1899
Davis, George – born July 19, 1899
Davis, George – born June 4, 1875
Davis, Hal Pauli – born August 13, 1900
Davis, Henry – born June 14, 1888
Davis, Marshall – born March 2, 1877
Davis, Milton Dulaney – born August 31, 1881
Davis, Oscar Blackwell – born March 2, 1876
Davis, Perry Walker – born September 18, 1889
Davis, Thomas – born July 4, 1880
Davis, William – born July 22, 1880
Dawson, Arthur – born October 16, 1897
Dawson, Joe – birth not given
Day, Ferdinand T – born October 27, 1894
Day, Robert W – born September 27, 1888
Dean, Charles – born June 15, 1894
Dean, Clarence – born October 6, 1899
Dean, Washington – born May 5, 1878
Derr, Ralph Mayfield – born September 20, 1897
Diggs, James Henry – born May 8, 1888
Diggs, Julian – born September 30, 1894
Diggs, Richard – born September 10, 1881
Diggs, William Henry – born April 25, 1899
Dinkina, James – born January 18, 1892
Dixon, Edward – born January 18, 1880
Dixon, Ernest – born October 19, 1880
Dixon, Herbert O – born February 2, 1896
Dixon, James Henry – born January 20, 1883
Dixon, John – born April 1, 1880
Dixon, Lucian Odell – born June 27, 1896
Dixon, Moses – born April 16, 1873
Dixon, William – born August 10, 1894
Dobbins, Charles Henry – born December 16, 1877
Dodson, Malachi – born November 2, 1898
Dogan, William Sanford – born October 17, 1875
Dorsey, Vincent – born November 7, 1890
Doss, James Lacey – born December 1, 1893
Douglas, Harrison – born December 8, 1888
Douglas, John Clarence – born November 17, 1899
Drayton, Charles H – born October 25, 1891
Duckett, Joseph DeSilva – born August 29, 1900
Dudley, Benjamin – birth not given
Dudley, Irvine – born November 22, 1889
Dudley, Isham – born May 2, 1896
Dudley, James Samuel – born October 10, 1899
Dudley, Joseph J – born May 7, 1894
Dulaney, Robert – born April 26, 1891
Duncan, Thomas – born June 4, 1897
Duncan, William H – born July 25, 1886
African Americans in Alexandria, Virginia had a long history of entrepreneurial skills. Prior to the passing of the Social Security Act in 1935, people did not have retirement pensions unless they worked for the State or Federal government. The government employed only a few African Americans prior to desegregation. Many African Americans became entrepreneurs to survive. Many of them were skilled artisans and others opened up businesses to support the many demands of the Black communities.
The 1934 Businesses Directory listed African American businesses and occupations. The listing is not complete because some African Americans did not report their business to the City Directory. Listed are the individuals and the names of those African American businesses that were reported.
Ambulance Service
Rhines, John T & Co, 221 N Patrick Street
Automobile Funeral Service
Rhines, John T & Co, 221 N Patrick Street
Automobile Repairing
Cox, Ernest – 1007 Montgomery Street
Baker – Wholesale
Alexandria Home Bakery – 521 N Henry Street
Barbers
Gordon, William – 700 N Patrick Street
Jackson, Frank E – 207 King Street
Rogers, Herbert – 1022 Pendleton Street
The Royal – 210 N Payne Street
Saxon, Foster – 401 Wolfe Street
Tancil, H P & Son – 712 King Street
Wallace, Joseph H – 528 Gibbon Street
Wallace, Thomas M – 1124½ Prince Street
Whiting, Charles W – 334 N Fairfax Street
Beauty Shop
Duke, Laura M – 1005½ Oronoco Street
Blacksmiths
Valentine, Alfred D – 802 Wolfe Street
Boarding House
Cantey, Jennie – 307 Gibbon Street
Buildings – Office and Public
Collins-Blue Building – 303 N Alfred Street
Cemetery
Douglas Cemetery – Wilkes extended near S West
Adventist – Church
Seventh Day – 1020 Pendleton Street
Baptist Churches
Alfred Street – 313 S Alfred Street
Beulah – 320 S Washington Street
Ebenezer – 909 Queen Street
Mt. Jezeerel – 317 N Payne Street
Mt. Olive – 430 N Pitt Street
Oakland – King extended near Braddock Rd
St. John’s – 913 N Alfred Street
Second – 417 N Pitt Street
Shiloh – 1401 Duke Street
Third – 923 Princess Street
Zion – 714 S Lee Street
Catholic Church
St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic – 701 N Columbus Street
Episcopal Church
Meade Memorial Chapel – 324 N Alfred Street
Holinesses Church
Church of God and Saints of Christ – 411 S Columbus Street
Evangelical Christian – 400A N Fairfax Street
Methodist
Roberts’ Chapel M E – 604½ S Washington Street
Presbyterian
Community – 430 N Pitt Street
Presbyterian Chapel – 634 N Patrick Street
Undenominational
The House of Prayer – 517 Gibbon Street
Clergymen
Adkins, Andrew W (Baptist) – 816 Queen Street
Austin, Thomas N (Methodist) – 614 S Washington Street
Ross, Samuel B (Baptist) – 1018 Oronoco Street
Sowers, John S (Baptist) – 120 E Peyton Avenue (Del Ray)
Stanton, N Howard (Baptist) – 1021 Oronoco Street
Strong, Richard B (Presbyterian) – 505 S Columbus Street
Watkins, Benjamin H (Holiness) – 424 S Washington Street
Dressmakers
Barbour, Bessie – 237 N West Street
Darnell, Hattie L – 117 S West Street
Richards, Maggie F – 1001 Oronoco Street
Townes, Maggie – 120 N West Street
Embalmer, Funeral Director and Funeral Home
Rhines, John T & Co – 221 N Patrick Street
Grocers
Arrington, James – 712 N Henry Street
Carter, George H – 901 N Patrick Street
Jackson, Fairfax Jr – 1008 N Royal Street
Minor, James – 432 Pendleton Street
Taylor, Patrick – 438 S Columbus Street
Watson, William F – 1226 Madison Street
Halls
Elks’ Home – 227 N Henry Street
Liberty Hall – King extended near Braddock Rd
Lyric Hall – 518 S Pitt Street
Odd Fellows’ Hall – 411 S Columbus Street
Mutual Life Insurance Company
Richmond Beneficial Insurance Co (life) – 418 N Patrick Street
Southern Aid Society of Virginia Inc (life) – 313 N Patrick Street
Lawyers
Collins, Alfred H – 303 N Alfred Street
Jackson, Fairfax Jr – 1008 Oronoco Street
Murray, William McK – 405 N Alfred Street
Tucker, Samuel W – 901 Princess Street
Williams, Robert M – 405 N Alfred Street
Midwives
Johnson, Lavinia – 510 N Patrick Street
Mortician
Rhines, John T & Co – 221 N Patrick Street
Motion Picture Theatres
Capitol Theatre – 1101 Queen Street
Physicians and Surgeons
Chissell, Herbert G – 521 S Royal Street
Durant, Oswald D – 708 Pendleton Street
Johnson, Albert – 814 Duke Street
Penn, Abram B – 809 Princess Street
Piper, Paul E – 809 Princess Street
West, Charles F – 405 N Alfred Street
Radio Repairer
Leon’s Service Shop (Leon Baltimore) – 600 S Washington Street
Real Estate
Tucker & Watson – 901 Princess Street
Restaurants and Lunch Rooms
Allen, John T – 1000 Pendleton Street
Bell, Robert S – 1028 Queen Street
Hammond, Alberta M – 1227 Queen Street
Johnson, Elmore – 238 N Henry Street
Rector, George – 601 Gibbon Street
Turner, Elmore – 211 N Payne Street
Schools – Public
Parker-Gray School – 901 Wythe Street
Rosenwald School – King extended near Braddock Rd
Schools, Colleges and Academies
St. Joseph’s Parochial School – 711 N Columbus Street
Shoe Repairers
Gray, Charles H – 413 S Columbus Street
Martin, John W – 523 Gibbon Street
Shoe Shiner
Boston Shoe Shine Parlor – 408 King Street
Societies – Benevolent and Fraternal
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
Harmony Lodge No 818 – 411 S Columbus Street
Lancaster R H Lodge No 1370 – 411 S Columbus Street
Independent, Benevolent, Protective Order Elks of World
Alexandria Lodge No 48 – 227 N Henry Street
Masonic
Acacia Lodge No 32 – 411 S Columbus Street
Ligon Lodge No 2 – 411 S Columbus Street
Parker Lodge No 1341 – 411 S Columbus Street
Universal Lodge No 1 – 411 S Columbus Street
Courtesy of the Valentine Richmond History Center - Barber Shop
African American businesses were in Alexandria, Virginia prior and after the civil war. African Americans were Barbers, Blacksmiths and Wheelwrights. There was a Boarding House, Boot and Shoe Dealerships, Butcher business, Oysters & Fish business, Produce & Provisions business, Saloons, a Variety Store, and Wood and Coal businesses.
Some African American businesses were overlooked because they were not identified by race in the Business section of the City Directory for whatever reason. Listed are the people, their occupations and locations for the year 1876-1877 in the Alexandria City Directory.
Barbers and Hairdressers
William Diggs – 80 N Fairfax Street
Thomas E Dulany – 124 King Street
Benj T Dutton – 21 Union Street
Washington Fisher – 154 King Street
William D Green – Royal near Cameron
George T King – Cameron corner Henry
Madella & Palmer – 202 King Street
Herbert P Tancil – 68½ Prince Street
William Triplett II, 8 South Royal Street
Arthur White, 222 King Street
Blacksmiths & Wheelwrights
George P Douglas – Royal and Canal basin
Robert Jenkins – Union corner Duke
Strother Moten – 11 South Lee Street
Andrew Poindexter – Lee near Queen
George W Simms – Columbus near Gibbon
W H Valentine – West end Duke Street
Boarding House
G A Lumpkins – 179 King Street
Boot & Shoe Dealers
Edmond Fry – 105 South Royal Street
Robert Gaines – 109 South Washington Street
John Hackley – Payne corner Cameron
Fenton Harris – 211 Queen Street
French Jackson – Princess near Royal
Isaac Johnson – St. Asaph near Cameron
G A Lumpkins – 179 King Street
Redman & Webb – 135 Cameron Street
John H Webb – Queen near Alfred
Butcher
William Gray – stall 14 Market house
Oysters, Fish & c
John F Chinn – 268 King Street
Produce & Provisions
Cecelia Rowe – stall 27 vegetable Market
Henry Woodson – stall vegetable Market
Saloons
Henry Anderson – 200 King Street
William H. Morgan II – Union corner Princess
Variety Store
Samuel Keath – 187 Duke Street
Wood & Coal
S K Lee – Gibbon corner Columbus and Gibbon near Fairfax
A S Perpener – Columbus near King and 182 Duke
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