Orion Anderson Lynched
Historical highway marker T-65 · Loudoun County
Orion Anderson, a 14-year-old Black child, was lynched at the freight depot that stood just northwest of here. On 30 Oct. 1889, he had approached a 15-year-old White acquaintance with a fertilizer sack over his head, scaring her. Despite her inability to positively identify him, and his explanation that he had only meant to frighten her, he was arrested for attempted rape and held in the Leesburg jail. Early on the morning of 8 Nov., a mob of 25-40 disguised men stormed the jail, forced Anderson to the depot, hanged him, and shot his body multiple times. No one was ever brought to justice. From 1866 until well into the 20th century, more than 100 people, primarily Black men, were lynched in VA.
Department of Historic Resources, 2026
This marker is no longer standing.