This 14-foot arch isn’t just any monument. It’s the Tinner Hill Monument. It stands tall a testament to resilience. It stands in Falls Church Virginia just outside Washington DC.
The Tinner Hill Monument honors a small Black community. This community fought a segregation battle. They fought for their right to live where they chose. The Tinners a family of stonemasons played a key role. Charles and Mary Tinner bought land in the late 1800s. Their son Joseph joined Dr EB Henderson. They formed the Colored Citizens Protective League. This group later became the first rural branch of the NAACP.
Imagine the courage it took. They fought the Virginia segregation law in court. The Ku Klux Klan was active in the area. This was a very brave move. Their fight resulted in a Supreme Court victory. The 1917 decision in Buchanan v Warley outlawed forced housing segregation.
The Tinner Hill Monument itself is stunning. It’s made of pink granite. This trondhjemite is a rare type of granite. The stone was quarried by the Tinner family. They used it to build many buildings in Falls Church. Some of the stone for the monument came from buildings that were demolished. Families saved the stone for years. They then donated it to build this monument.
The arch shape is significant. It symbolizes two pillars bending together. This represents the strength of two races uniting. It also represents the combined efforts of Joseph Tinner and EB Henderson. The arch is a beautiful and powerful symbol. It represents their success in the face of adversity. It reminds us of the importance of their fight. It’s a reminder that battles for civil rights were fought everywhere. It reminds us to remember the fights for justice that happened on many fronts.
The Tinner Hill Monument is more than just a structure. It is a powerful symbol of hope. It’s a symbol of the ongoing fight for equality. Take a moment to appreciate this monument. Reflect on the history it represents. Remember the strength and courage of the Tinner Hill community.