Slavery likely began in Loudoun in the early 1720’s. Slaves lived in poor quarters, and many of the structures that housed slaves had fallen into disrepair before the end of the 19th century. Today, the Arcola slave quarters is one of the few remaining reminders of Loudoun’s African American antebellum history.

The building is thought to have served as a home to slaves working on the James Lewis farm in the first half of the 1800s. The Lewis farm began when Vincent Lewis purchased the land in 1744. When he died, the farm was divided between his sons, James and Charles Lewis. The James Lewis farm prospered in the mid-1800’s but later declined. The Neal family, former slaves of the Lewis family, stilled lived on the property in 1870. The farm was sold at auction in 1885 after the family died out.
Where: (no inside access) 25077 Evergreen Mills Road  Sterling