West Point Cemetery, also known as Potter's Field and Calvary Cemetery, is a historic cemetery and national historic district located at Norfolk, Virginia. It encompasses three contributing sites, one contributing structure, and one contributing object in an African American graveyard in downtown Norfolk. The cemetery was established in 1873, and includes a grouping of headstones marking the remains of 58 black soldiers and sailors who served in the American Civil War, and a monument honoring these veterans stands over their graves. Other notable elements include the Potter's Field, O’Rourke Mausoleum, and the West Point Cemetery entry sign.[3]
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.[1] It is contiguous with Elmwood Cemetery, listed in 2013.
West Point Monument
Dedicated in 1906, the monument was built as a tribute to African American veterans of both the Civil War and Spanish–American War. The Civil War soldier depicted on the top of the West Point Monument is Norfolk native Sergeant William H. Carney of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment.
James Fuller (1846–1909) was the primary force behind the monument's installation. Fuller was a former slave and a Civil War Veteran quartermaster in the First United States Colored Cavalry, and was later elected as the first black Norfolk City Councilman.[4][5]
Notable burials
- Emma V. Kelley (1867–1932), founder of the Daughters of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World[6]
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ Tommy L. Bogger (August 2006). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: West Point Cemetery" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying four photos
- ^ "West Point Mounument, Norfolk, Virginia – American Civil War Monuments and Memorials on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
- ^ lunchcountersitin (May 30, 2011). "Monuments to the United States Colored Troops (USCT) [African American Civil War Soldiers]: The List". Jubilo! The Emancipation Century. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
- ^ "A Tour of Historic Calvary Cemetery" (PDF). Norfolk Department of Recreation, Parks, and Open Space. February 14, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2018.
