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Franklin
Street Districts
200
Block West Franklin Street
District Boundaries: Madison Street to Jefferson Street
In
the late 1970s, demolition seemed imminent for this block
of stately mansions. Threatened by high rise construction,
eight buildings were saved by Historic Richmond Foundation’s
efforts. By optioning the entire block, HRF was able to
sell each property to an individual owner. The buildings
have since been restored, renovated and occupied by professional
offices, businesses and organizations. This block is an
unusually diverse collection of 19th-century architecture.
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204
West Franklin Street
Cole Diggs House, circa 1800
The
house takes its name from the builder, Revolutionary War
veteran Cole Diggs. It serves as the headquarters of the
APVA. The porch was added in 1850. It is the oldest house
on the block. |
| 205
West Franklin Street
Mayo-Carter House, 1895
French
Renaissance Revival. This house was designed by New York
architects Carrere & Hastings, the same architects who
designed the nearby Hotel Jefferson. It is fully restored
and is now the headquarters of the Junior League of Richmond.
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207
West Franklin Street
T. Seddon Bruce House, 1886
Eastlake
Style. The exterior displays the variety of ornamentation
that was popular during the Victorian era. The interior retains
many orginal features including mantels and massive stairs.
It is now a professional office. |
Dooley-Madison
Rest Home, formerly The Price House, 1805
Second
Empire. Greatly expanded over time, the original building
is located in the center section. Most of the exterior dates
from the 1880s. Later additions include the mansard roof.
It was renovated in the 1970s. |
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Blocks East and West
District Boudaries: Adams Street and 1st Street
Franklin
Street 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: Italianate, Greek Revival,
Queen Anne and more. Most houses have been converted into
professional offices and apartments.
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9
West Franklin Street
Second Baptist Church, 1906
Classical
Revival. The ten columns on the portico are topped with
elaborately carved Corinthian capitals. When the congregation
moved west, the church changed hands numerous times and
was finally abandoned. It is now owned by The Hotel Jefferson.
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East Franklin Street, 1845
Kent-Valentine House
The
house is greatly altered from its original appearance by
the addition of the classical portico which replaced an
iron veranda. The house retains its carriage house in back
and a large yard. Restored in the 1970s, it is now the headquarters
of the Garden Club of Virginia. |
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| West
Franklin Street
District Boundaries: Monroe Park to Birch Street
The
city expanded westward in 1867 and West Franklin Street
was included in the annexation. 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) owns most of these buildings and has adapted
them for office and classroom use.
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1109
West Franklin Street
Temple Beth Ahabah, 1904
Classical
Revival. Designed by Richmond firm Noland and Baskervill,
its intricately painted sanctuary features stained glass
windows including a Tiffany window of Mount Sinai. It has
been recently renovated.
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| 909
West Franklin Street
Bocock House, 1911
Beaux
Arts. Designed by Noland and Baskervill. The house, inspired
by the Petit Trianon at Versailles, is similar to the great
classic “cottages” of Newport, Rhode Island. Owned
by VCU. |
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901
West Franklin Street, Ginter House, 1888
Richardsonian
Romanesque. Major Lewis Ginter made his fortune with paper-rolled
cigarettes. He also built The Hotel Jefferson and established
the new suburb Ginter Park on the North side of Richmond.
After his death, his house became the first Richmond Public
Library. It is now owned by VCU. |
821
West Franklin Street,
Ritter-Hickock House, 1855
Built
by William Ritter, a wealthy furniture merchant, this house
was in a rural setting when first built as an Italian villa
in 1855. It was remodeled in 1903 in the Georgian Revival
style and is now owned by VCU. |
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Additional
impressive houses on West Franklin Street:
Some
architecutral details from the houses on West Franklin Street:
General view on West Franklin Street:
Historic Richmond Foundation - The William Byrd Branch of APVA
Preservation Virginia
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