The Neighborhood at a Glance
White Rock Elementary School, built 1912
This school opened the same year as three other Lynchburg schools: Yoder, Miller Park, and the new Lynchburg High School on Park Avenue.
White Rock Hill is east of Franklin Hill and is bounded by Florida Avenue, the James River and Fishing Creek. The hill was named for the outcropping of white quartz rocks along the bluff of the James River that was a well-known local landmark.
A portion of the hill was incorporated into the city in 1870. Similar to Franklin Hill, steep hillsides prevented development, and the area was not fully annexed into the city until 1908.
White Rock Cemetery
In 1882 Jackson Street Methodist Church established White Rock Hill Cemetery for African Americans near the intersection of High and Blair Streets. The seven-acre cemetery was used by many local Black churches for over 100 years. Approximately 4,000 people are estimated to be buried there, one of whom is believed to be Ota Benga, a member of the Batwa or Mbuti tribe of the Congo.
White Rock Cemetery, founded 1882
The cemetery was active until the 1980’s, when burials dwindled and regular maintenance of the graveyard ceased. Recently, new efforts have been made to clean up the cemetery and document those at final rest there.
Ota Benga
Ota Benga was a member of the Batwa or Mbuti tribe in the Congo in central Africa. He is believed to be buried in White Rock Cemetery today. Learn more about him in our blog.