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Richmond map 1883
02/18/2010 6:40 AM by John M
O.W. Gray and Son, 1883. Pre-Jefferson Avenue, shows the Central Lunatic Asylum, the route of the train tunnel, and offers up the alternate letter names for Clay, Leigh, and M/N/O Streets.
Wow – great map! Any idea if some of the buildings from the Asylum remain standing? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it. I wonder if it was a City hospital or part of the State system.
Here is what I’ve been able to find out about the asylum: http://chpn.net/news/2008/07/09/a-short-history-of-the-central-lunatic-asylum_1773/
When we had the beer vault discussion, that article referenced a tunnel through Chimborazo which confused me. The only old tunnel I know of is the one that went thru Jefferson Park and collapsed and I couldn’t understand how it was supposed to continue to the far east end of Chimbo @ 36th (ish?). This map shows the rail tunnel ending and becoming tracks again at 30th and Grace.
I also thought it was interesting to see 29th and Main noted as “Marshall Square”. I know that area today as Libby Hill Park.
Thanks for posting these historic maps. They are a good reference for us here at our office.
I always wondered why the city’s letter grid was so discontinuous, now I know! Phew.
Wonder if this was the mental institute for white people? What became Central State in Petersburg was not far away.
http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/published/lva/vi00940.bioghist
Our neighborhood Central Lunatic Asylum shown on the map above is indeed the institution that became Central State.