Historic Areas
The Richmond region is a treasure trove of historic structures. Many of our historic areas are listed on the National and Virginia Landmarks Registers; however, the majority of historic structures in Richmond remain undocumented by architectural historians.
Within the City of Richmond, there are 45 National Register Historic Districts recognized by the United States Department of the Interior. The citizens of the City of Richmond have adopted 13 of these National Register Historic Districts as Local Old & Historic Districts.
The historic areas portion of HRF’s website is dedicated to providing residents and tourists alike with interesting facts and useful maps on Richmond’s historically significant districts, even if they have yet to be recognized by the National Park Service. It is our hope that this information will create clarification and encourage us all to better appreciate the history of Richmond’s built environment.
Barton Heights »
The Town of Barton Heights was originally developed in 1894 as one of the very first streetcar suburbs in the United States. Located in Richmond’s Northside, it contains 367 structures that contribute to its status as a National Historic District. Many of these structures were built in the Colonial revival or Queen Anne styles and occupy fifty-foot-wide lots. The impetus for the development of this turn-of-the-century suburb was, in large part, the streetcar, which gave easy and efficient access to downtown places of work.
Battery Court »
Battery Court is a turn of the twentieth century primarily residential streetcar suburb in Richmond’s Northside. Adjacent to Brookland Park Historic District, it comprises approximately 1,810 acres and 769 contributing structures.
Belle Isle »
An island of the James River, Belle Isle is located adjacent to Richmond’s historic Tredegar Iron Works. While many of the original archaeological and structural elements from Richmond’s industrial revolution remain, Belle Isle has been adaptively reused as a city park and is currently owned by the City of Richmond.
Bellevue »
A Neighborhood within Richmond’s Hermitage Road Historic District, Bellevue is marked by a prominent stone masonry arch at the intersection of Pope Avenue and Hermitage Road. The development began in 1894 as one of the earliest street car suburbs in Richmond’s Northside. John Pope developed the area now called Bellevue with the Westbrook plantation land and another one hundred acres. He started by constructing a road from Hermitage Road to Westbrook Mansion; however, he died soon thereafter and the road was named for him. The land remained largely undeveloped until it was sold to the Davis brothers in 1919. Many different architectural styles can be see in Bellevue, however, it mainly features the American Four Square and Bungalow styles.
Brauers »
Officially called the Brauers-Chelsea-Fairmount Park Historic District, this area is situated in Richmond’s Northside.
Boulevard, The »
Often considered the defining point for Richmond’s east or west ends, the Boulevard is a grand street that divides the Fan and Museum Districts. It runs north to the Northside, south through Byrd Park and across the Nickel Bridge into the Westover Hills area. It is the home to the Virginia Historical Society and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Broad Street Commercial »
Richmond’s West Broad Street Commercial Historic District comprises approximately 5.5 acres between the 1300 and 1600 blocks. The District is lined with 20 excellent contributing examples of commercial architecture, built between 1900 and the late 1930s. The buildings reflect a wide variety of styles from Art Deco to Italianate and are largely two-to-four stories in height. The wide spatial ratio of Broad Street in this District accommodated a trolley line that ran down the center of the street. Many of these buildings were at one point in history associated with Richmond’s automotive industry.
Bryan Park »
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Canal, The »
The James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District is recognized as a major engineering feat for the earliest citizens of Richmond. The construction of the Canal was initiated by the charter of the James River Company in 1785. George Washington served as the honorary President. Its purpose was to improve the navigation on the James from Richmond to Botetourt County, a distance of approximately 200 miles. The current District comprises approximately 138 acres and extends from the Ship Lock at Peach Street to Sleepy Hollow Road and the C & O Railroad tracks in Henrico County.
Capitol Square »
In 1779, Virginia’s State Capitol was moved from Williamsburg to Richmond. Shockoe Hill was selected as the new location, as it provided a panoramic view of the James River. The twelve acre park comprises the work of notable architects Thomas Jefferson, Charles-Louis Clerisseau, Elijah E. Meyers and Alexander Parris. Although the Capitol, the Executive Mansion, the Bell Tower, the Washington Monument, a few office buildings and landscape features are officially recognized as a National Historic District, several other significant historic structures are located on the District’s periphery, including: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church and the Stewart-Lee House.
Carver »
Covering 570 acres and 311 historic structures, Carver was initially developed around 1825 with growth continuing through the 1940s. It is largely a Gothic and Greek revival grouping of buildings.
Carytown »
Situated between the Downtown Expressway and the Boulevard, Carytown is one of Richmond’s most famous retail districts. Although it is not recognized as a Historic District on the National, State or Local level, it has played an important part in Richmond’s retail and cultural history. The Byrd Theatre, an important anchor for the Carytown area, is listed individually as a National and State Historic Landmark.
Court End »
Court End, a neighborhood situated just north of Capitol Square and west of Interstate 95, took its name from its lawyer residents. Its close proximity to Court and other public buildings made it a convenient home to many prominent Richmond citizens. The small area contains some of the city’s most unusual and valuable architecture.
Chestnut Hill »
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Chimborazo »
Formally recognized as the Oakwood-Chimborazo Historic District, this area is quite comprehensive and includes 1,285 structures contributing to its historic designation. The park was created in 1874 and is named after the highest peak in Ecuador. This area was the site of the Chimborazo Hospital and Oakwood Cemetery, two important elements of the history of the American Civil War in Richmond. The majority of structures were built during the Reconstruction and Growth Period (1866 to 1916) and are largely Vernacular Victorian, Queen Anne and Colonial revival.
Church Hill »
Known formally as the St. John’s Church Historic District, Church Hill was formed in the early 1820s and is largely comprised of structures in the Greek revival and Federal styles. It is listed as a Historic District on the National Register, Virginia Landmarks Register and is also under the jurisdiction of the City of Richmond Commission of Architectural Review as a Local Old & Historic District.
Church Hill North »
Located north of St. John’s Church Historic District, Church Hill North includes approximately twenty-five blocks of residential, commercial and institutional buildings. The District is home to the Wills Store, located 401 N 27th Street, which is the oldest commercial structure in Richmond. In addition, it is home to twelve Federal-style structures built between 1810 and 1839 and a collection of other structures built in various styles such as Greek revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Stick, Queen Anne, Classical revival, Colonial revival and Art Deco.
Commonwealth Club »
Taking its name from the prominent Romanesque Revival gentleman’s club, the Commonwealth Club Historic District occupies 30 acres and includes 16 structures.
Court End »
As one of the earliest neighborhoods and one of the most important groupings of residential structures in Richmond, Court End was developed slightly north of the State Capitol in in association with several significant Americans, including: Wickham, Valentine and Benjamin Watkings Leigh.
East Franklin Street »
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English Village »
Located on the 3400 Block of Grove Avenue, English Village was constructed as a multi-family Tudor revival planned community in 1927. Designed by Richmond architect Bascom Rowlett, each of the seventeen attached two-and-a-half story townhomes were formed in the shape of a U around a central courtyard. It is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places both individually as well as within the context of the West of Boulevard Historic District (Museum District).
Fan, The »
As the largest of Richmond’s National Register Historic Districts, the Fan occupies 3,280 acres with 3,460 buildings. Recognized as one of the largest contiguous tracts of Victorian architecture in America, the Fan has been significant to not only the architectural history of Richmond but also its social development and transportation infrastructure. Although the district was originally laid out in the 1880s, it was not until the 1950s when the area became affectionately known for its fan-like street pattern. Richmond’s Fan District, a book published by Historic Richmond Foundation, provides great detail on the history and architecture of this large neighborhood.
Fairmount »
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Forest Hill »
Originally owned by Holden Rhodes and designed by Ernest R. Gilbert, Forest Hill Park comprises 1052 acres and 15 structures of the Bungalow and Greek revival styles. It was once the site of a popular amusement park that had ice skating in the winter and boating in the summer. The Forest Hill Park trolley line brought people to the recreation site. Although the amusement park closed after the depression, it is now utilized as a public park.
Fulton & Montrose »
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Ginter Park »
The Ginter Park Historic District, one of Richmond’s first Streetcar Suburbs, was conceived and planned by Major Lewis Ginter, a prominent Richmond industrialist and philanthropist of the late 19th century. Ginter Park encompasses a wide, eclectic variety of homes built from the early 1890’s through the 1930’s. The overall cohesiveness of the district was assured by Ginter’s original community development plan which allocated spacious one-half acre lots for each single-family dwelling site. Elaborate examples of American Foursquare, modified Queen Anne, Bungalow, Spanish Colonial, Tudor revival, Shingle Style, and even Egyptian revival/Vernacular can be found throughout Ginter Park, though the predominant style is best described as Colonial revival/Builder’s Vernacular.
Ginter Park Terrace »
Located in the Northside of Richmond, Ginter Park Terrace encompasses 380 acres and 286 buildings. Its structures are largely styled in the manner of Colonial and Tudor revival.
Grove Avenue, 2900 Block »
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Highland Park »
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Hollywood Cemetery »
Located adjacent to historic Oregon Hill, Hollywood Cemetery was laid out by John Notman in 1848. It was a part of the American Didactic Landscape Movement, when individuals sought to remove themselves from all the noise and smell of the city toward a more peaceful place to lunch and taken in exercise. Notman had also designed the landscape within Capitol Square and his vision for Hollywood Cemetery shared many of the same characteristics, including curvilinear walkways, impressive views and romantic picnic spaces. The Cemetery takes its name from the grove of Holly trees carefully placed on the grounds. Hollywood is famously known as the burial place of US Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler, as well as Jefferson Davis, 22 of his Confederate generals and 18,000 of his Confederate soldiers.
Jackson Ward »
Jackson Ward is valuable to Richmond’s architectural history, as well as to the Nation as one of the most important historic centers of African-American culture. Originally a political subdivision, the district became a center of African-American owned businesses, banks, fraternal orders and other social institutions. Today, the district contains one of the largest concentrations of pre-Civil War houses with cast iron in Richmond. These houses represent a wide variety of styles that include Greek Revival, Italianate, Romanesque and Second Empire. Jackson Ward’s ornate cast-iron porches are second only to those of New Orleans.
Laburnum Park »
Laburnum Park was developed on the land of Laburnum mansion, owned by the sons of Joseph Bryan. The house, located at 1300 Westwood Avenue, was donated to the new Richmond Memorial Hospital in 1949. The mansion was incorporated into the hospital’s campus and now stands next to modern medical buildings. Confederate Avenue was named for the Confederate inner defenses that were leveled in 1929 for the development. The majority of the houses were constructed in the 1920s and 1930s.
Libbie & Grove »
Historically called “The Avenues,” the Shops at Libbie & Grove are a landmark of the Richmond region.
Manchester Industrial »
Known formally as the Manchester Warehouse and Industrial Historic District, this grouping of structures originated during the mid 1800’s when flour milling sustained the economy of Richmond. Originally known as Rocky Ridge, Manchester was a settlement built around the old home of William Byrd II. In 1769, the town was given a charter and renamed Manchester. Warehouses and factories producing flour, cotton, and paper once lined the banks of the James River in this area. Before they merged in 1910, Manchester and Richmond were in many ways rivals. Manchester boasted a better water supply due to the Manchester Water Works while Richmonders had to contend with water that sometimes “resembled boarding-house coffee.” The Richmond and Manchester Railway Company’s electric line helped carry people back and forth across the James. Established in 1890, the line stretched a distance of fourteen miles and contributed to the development of Southside Richmond suburbs.
Maymont »
Opened to the public in October of 1925, Maymont is a popular Richmond wildlife habitat on the sprawling historic estate of Major James Henry Dooley and his former wife Sallie May. Originally a dairy farm, the Dooleys filled the grounds with exotic foreign trees. They enlisted the architect Edgerton Stewart Rogers to design a Romanesque revival mansion for the estate, which was completed in 1893. Maymont is in posession of the largest carriage collection in Richmond, donated by the late Elisabeth Scott Bocock, founder of Historic Richmond Foundation. The Dooley Carriage House was designed by the Richmond firm of Noland and Baskervill and completed in 1904.
Midtown »
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Monroe Ward »
The Monroe Ward district, located west of Capitol Square and south of Broad Street, once contained some of the finest residential streets in Richmond. The remaining mansions along Franklin, Grace and Main are evidence of the former grandeur of the area. Monroe Ward is now the result of an adaptive reuse campaign headed by Historic Richmond Foundation. It has become a mixed-use area that combines the best of residential, commercial, office and retail operating in historic buildings.
Monroe Park »
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Monument Avenue »
Monument Avenue is a tree-lined ceremonial axis that begins one mile west of Virginia’s Capitol Square at Stuart Circle and extends nearly five miles west through the city’s west end. Developed in the 1880s to commemorate the heroes of the Lost Cause, Monument Avenue contains buildings designed by 25 of Richmond’s most celebrated historic architects and statues designed by world-renowned sculptors. It is one of the most celebrated examples of the American residential boulevard as public amenity and civic art.
Museum District »
Formally recognized as the West of the Boulevard National Historic District, this grouping of structures is more commonly called by Richmond residents and real estate agents as the “Museum District.”
Northside »
Northside is a grouping of suburbs in Richmond that were developed during the advent of the Street Car in the 1890s. “In all Virginia, with her unlimited resources and natural picturesqueness, there could not be found a more beautiful section than that embraced in the northwestern suburbs of the city of Richmond.” This description is from a booklet called “Suburban Reflections,” produced by real estate agent Douglas Taylor. The booklet was a promotional tool for selling property in North Richmond. The area had all the modern conveniences of city life, including street cars, updated sewage systems and water works, as well the beauty of the country.
Oregon Hill »
Originally developed in 1817 by Jaqueline, Oregon Hill has traditionally been one of Richmond’s strongest working class communities in both form and function. Its strong, vernacular architecture speaks to the need for more affordable low maintenance. Its close proximity to the James River, and therefore the companies occupying space near the river, historically made it a strong choice for individuals who needed to walk to work. The growth of Oregon Hill developed primarily during the 1830s, 40s and 50s with the rise of Hollywood Cemetery, Albermarle Paper Company and the State Penitentiary. Grace Evelyn Arents, the niece of tobacco magnate Lewis Ginter, was a driving force behind the establishment of Oregon Hill’s religious and educational institutations as with St. Andrew’s Parish, St. Andrew’s School and the William Byrd Community House.
Porter Street »
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Rockett’s Landing »
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Scott’s Addition »
As an extremely diverse grouping of architectural forms, Scott’s Addition was laid out in the 1890s. Located north of Broad Street and west of the Boulevard, it has made important contributions to Richmond’s commercial, industrial and community planning heritage. There are 374 structures in the District which largely represent the Colonial revival, Classical revival, Mission, International, Art Deco and Moderne styles. The majority of structures were built between the 1930s and 1950s.
Shockoe Bottom »
The settlement of Shockoe, named after the creek that bordered Richmond to the west, sprang up around William Byrd II’s warehouse in the mid 18th century. The warehouse firmly established this area of town as a vital trade center. Shockoe Bottom’s deep economic roots are seen in its huge tobacco warehouses, factories, shopfronts and the 17th Street Market. Warehouses and buildings neglected since tobacco companies left the city have been renovated. This area has become a hub of restaurants, nightlife, apartments and businesses.
Shockoe Slip »
As the city grew westward, Shockoe Slip was the perfect location for Richmond commerce with its close proximity to the river and canal. Payloads of tobacco and produce could easily be moved from ships to the Slip’s warehouses, mills and wholesale outlets. After the evacuation fire of 1865, this area was quickly rebuilt. Some of these buildings feature locally made cast-iron ornamentation. Neglected for years, Shockoe Slip became the focus of preservation efforts in the late 1970s. Warehouses and spall paving define the old business district which has become a thriving restaurant, entertainment and retail center.
Under the Radar »
Under the Radar (UtR) a weekly update about properties and/or history in jeopardy that HRF will spot light in Richmond, VA.
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Union Hill »
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Uptown »
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West Avenue »
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West Broad Street »
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West Franklin Street, Monroe Park to Birch Street »
When the city expanded westward in 1867, West Franklin Street was included in the annexation. As a result, some of Richmond’s prominent citizens built town houses on this street. This section of Franklin Street displays a wide variety of architectural styles, including: Italianate, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, Georgian Revival and Second Empire. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has preserved most of these buildings and has adaptively reused them for office and classroom space.
West Franklin Street, Zero Blocks, East and West »
Franklin Street was developed at the turn of the 19th century and was home to Richmond’s most prominent citizens. The land belonged to Thomas Rutherfoord, a cotton and tobacco merchant who started selling parcels in 1795. The blocks contain various architectural styles, a few of which include Italianate, Greek revival and Queen Anne. Most of these structures have been converted into professional offices and apartments.
West Franklin Street, 200 Block »
In the late 1970s, demolition seemed imminent for this block of stately mansions. Threatened by high rise construction, eight residential buildings were saved by the efforts of Historic Richmond Foundation. The buildings have since been sold, restored and adaptively reused. This block is an unusually diverse collection of 19th-century architecture.
West Grace Street »
Like Franklin Street, Grace Street was a fashionable address for Richmonders at the turn of the 20th century. Also like Franklin Street, Grace Street continued its growth westward from Capitol Square. The district exhibits many fine examples of Beaux-Arts, Federal and Vernacular architecture.
Westmoreland Place »
Located on the westernmost border of Windsor Farms, Westmoreland Place is a neighborhood of Colonial revival structures built during the 1920s. Its proximity to the Country Club of Virginia and accessibility to the James River historically made it a popular residence of Richmond’s social civic elite.
Westover Hills »
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Windsor Farms »
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Woodland Heights »
The “Fonticello Lithia Springs Company,” a highly successful mineral water business, was established on the Fonticello estate that now encompasses the Woodland Heights District land. In 1915, rising property values made it more profitable for the company to subdivide its land and Woodland Heights became a popular suburb along the Richmond-Manchester trolley line. The area contains a large concentration of historic structures in a variety of Victorian styles.