In Culpeper’s historic commercial district, a new mural will pay tribute to seven notable African-American citizens of Culpeper County and be located in an area of downtown that was once a thriving Black business district, specifically on the side of a century-old building that housed Lightfoot’s Grocery, which was established in the 1870’s by Henry Lightfoot. Apart from Lightfoot, who will be featured on the mural, six other individuals will be recognized, including:

• A member of the United States Colored Troops, representing the 120 men from Culpeper who served with the Union Army during the Civil War;
• Dr. Elijah Barber, the Culpeper-area’s first Black doctor;
• Roscoe Ford, Culpeper’s first Black police officer;
• Ruby Beck, a successful female African-American entrepreneur;
• John “Preston” Pete Hill, a Negro League baseball player and manager; and
• Ella Drumgoole, Culpeper’s first female police officer

Last year, Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. (CRI) put out a call for artists, and Layton Scarbrough (pictured above), a Culpeper native and freelance artist that actively illustrates children’s books, was chosen to bring the project to fruition. Over the past few weeks, he’s gotten off to a great start and captured the attention of passersby as these trailblazers begin to take shape.

Image Credits: Culpeper Star-Exponent