One Of America’s Oldest Cities - Richmond VA

In this post I highlight the downtown area, Church Hill and the Hollywood Cemetery.

Richmond is the capital of Virginia, and among America’s oldest cities. In the 1800’s, the downtown area was booming and played a major role in the slave trade. The area is rich in history, especially from the Civil War. As with many cities in the United States, Richmond experienced the slow yet massive move out into the suburban areas, forcing many businesses to move with them. The following decades saw an increase of banking and big business moving in.

Church Hill, is a quaint district named for St. John’s Church, and it is where Patrick Henry gave his 1775 “Give Me Liberty” speech. The Church Hill neighborhood experienced serious decline in the 1950’s, mostly because of absentee landlords. Out of concern for the area, the Historic Richmond Foundation was created in 1956, and outlined the area as a historic district.

Hollywood Cemetery is located next to Richmond, in Virginia’s Oregon Hill neighborhood, and has rolling hills, winding paths, the final resting place for Confederate army dead, and two United States Presidents. It’s name came from the holly trees dotting the hills of the grounds.

Here is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy it!

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This is the beaux arts-style former Railroad YMCA building on East Main Street, now converted into apartments and commercial space.

This is the Renaissance Revival style train station, with ornate, domed clock tower, opened in 1901 and served the Seaboard Air Line and the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroads.

The Main Street Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

This is the 123’ by 517’ train shed on the north side of the station. It is one of the last surviving trinsheds of its type in the nation.

The Main Street Station is now a urban, multimodal transportation hub with both bus and train service.

The Main Street Station was made a National Historic Landmark in 1976

Vintage lighting and architecture in the Main Street Station

The ornate rail station was designed by the Philadelphia firm of Wilson, Harris and Richards.

The train station remained vacant for several years until it was purchased in 1983, to covert it into a shopping mall.

In 2001, construction and restoration work began.

The station remains an Amtrak station today, and this is one of the waiting areas.

The building’s exterior was also restored

The 15-foot Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue on East Main Street was created by Stephen Broadbent.

Vintage commercial buildings along Main Street

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The Capital Building was designed by Thomas Jefferson and has stood as the centerpiece of Richmond for more than 200 years

The Executive Mansion, home to Virginia’s governors since 1813, and the oldest governor’s residence in the country still used for its original purpose.

The Virginia Civil Rights Memorial contains 18 bronze statues

Anther view of the Civil Rights Monument

Old City Hall on Broad Street, was designed by Elijah E. Myers and served as the City Hall from 1894 through the 1970’s

The Virginia Washington Monument designed by Thomas Crawford and Randolph Rogers in 1850.

The Virginia Washington Monument with the Old City Hall in the background

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with Tiffany stained glass windows, was erected in 1844 across from the Capitol Square.

Another view of the Old City Hall with clock tower and spire

The Old City Hall demands attention on the north side of Capitol Square

Another view of the Main Street Station

Older building with vintage ads painted on the side

The Old Stone House, built in 1740, is the Edgar Allan Poe Museum on Main Street. Poe never lived in the building, it serves to commemorate his living time in Richmond, and hold the largest collection of original manuscripts, letters, books, memorabilia and personal belongings.

Homes in the Church Hill neighborhood were built between 1800 and 1930-ish

In many cases the architecture has been preserved

A variety of 19th and 20th century buildings have been repurposed as condominiums or apartments

Walking in the oldest neighborhoods in Richmond, makes you feel as though you’ve taken a trip back in time

A few of the older homes in the Church Hill Historic District

As with many Richmond neighborhoods, Church Hill experienced ups and downs over the years, but it dramatically matured over the last decade,

The view of the historic Richmond Luck Strike tobacco tower in the Warehouse District from Church Hill.

Church Hill is one of Richmond’s most desirable and visited neighborhoods by those that appreciate a small-town setting within the city limits

Beautiful row homes

There is a variety of home styles in the Church Hill neighborhood

The old Church Hill Bank building, designed by Otis Asbury. This is one of few commercial projects Asbury worked on.

If you are in the Church Hill neighborhood and hungry for something different, stop in at the Proper Pie Co. at 2505 East Broad St. The small, quaint bakery serves a selection of New Zeland-style meat and sweet pies. You won’t be disappointed.

This is St. John’s Church and graveyard in the Church Hill section of Richmond. St. John’s is the site of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty” speech.

Outbuildings on the grounds of St. John’s Church

An unusual grave marker

Vintage painted ad

The large, sprawling Hollywood Cemetery was established in 1847, overlooking the James River.

The 90-foot pyramid-shaped memorial, designed by Charles H. Dimmock, near the graves of thousands of enlisted Confederate soldiers.

The Palmer Chapel Mausoleum was built in 1992

The land that the Hollywood Cemetery stands on was once part of the William Byrd III’s estate.

The mausoleum of philanthropist and businessman Lewis Ginter

The “birdcage” grave site of President James Monroe

Another view of 5th U.S. President James Monroe’s gravesite

Here is another beautiful memorial in the Hollywood Cemetery

The gravesite of 10th U.S. President John Tyler

Many of the older cemeteries are an outdoor art museum

Maymont Mansion, part of a historic estate, now a park with gardens and farm animals.

What you should know:

• You could spend a couple of hours to an entire day.

• Church Hill Historic District and the downtown areas are walkable.

• On the street parking is available; check posted parking regulation signs.

• There are many restaurant options.

• There are a few small parks to enjoy in the Church Hill District and the downtown area.

For more information: Richmond VA