Virginia Board Approved Alexandria Lynching Marker

The state officially recognized two local lynching victims with a new historical highway marker.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Virginia Board Approved Alexandria Lynching Marker

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On September 17, 2026, the Virginia Board of Historic Resources approved a new historical marker to commemorate two documented lynching victims in Alexandria. The state board approved the measure as part of an initiative to recognize lynching sites across the Commonwealth.

Why it matters

The marker aims to acknowledge the history of racial violence in Alexandria, where Joseph McCoy and Benjamin Thomas were lynched in the late 19th century. This initiative provides public recognition for victims of lynchings that occurred in Virginia between 1877 and 1950.

The Virginia Board of Historic Resources officially approved the marker on September 17, 2026. If the city provides necessary approvals, the marker could be installed in approximately eight months.

The players

Virginia Board of Historic Resources

This state board is responsible for identifying and designating historical landmarks across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Joseph McCoy

He was a 19-year-old victim of a lynching in Alexandria in 1897.

Benjamin Thomas

He was a 16-year-old victim of a lynching in Alexandria in 1899.

The details

The new marker will be placed on North Fairfax Street near City Hall to honor Joseph McCoy, who was 19, and Benjamin Thomas, who was 16. These two men represent the only documented lynching victims in Alexandria out of the 11 people lynched in Northern Virginia during the 1877 to 1950 period.

The Virginia Board of Historic Resources met on September 17, 2026.
Joseph McCoy was lynched on April 23, 1897.
Benjamin Thomas was lynched on August 8, 1899.
The marker is estimated to be installed by June 2027.

Legal Context

This effort to document past racial violence follows a broader state initiative to reconcile historical records with the public landscape. The project mirrors ongoing efforts in other jurisdictions to provide formal recognition for victims of lynchings that occurred during the Jim Crow era.

The installation of the marker on North Fairfax Street will create a permanent, visible reminder of this history for local residents and visitors near City Hall. Community members can expect the physical monument to be erected by mid-2027, pending final municipal cooperation.

The takeaway

Recognizing this history ensures that the deaths of victims like McCoy and Thomas remain part of the public record. Implementation of these markers serves as an educational step for cities to address the legacy of racial violence in their own neighborhoods.