RECENT COMMENTS
Two on 29th Street (1907)
Souvenir Views: Negro Enterprises & Residences Richmond, Va. was published in 1907 by D. A. FERGUSON & CO. of 609 North Second Street. The majority of the photos are from Jackson Ward, though at least the 2 above are from the East End.
Formerly the Nickle Savings Bank and office of Dr. R. C. Brown, Dentist
George Mason Elementary (formerly East End School)
From the book:
A FEW FACTS ABOUT THE NEGROES OF RICHMOND
Population estimated at 35,000. Real Estate valued at $1,345,910.00. Taxes paid annually $16,753.69. Four large Insurance Companies, each having deposited $10,000.00 with the State of Virginia. Churches: 23 Baptist, 3 Methodist, 2 Episcopal, 1 Catholic, 1 Presbyterian and 1 Christian. Four Banks. Four Drug Stores. Five Weekly Newspapers. Fourteen Physicians. Four Dentists. Two Real Estate Agents. Eight Lawyers. Ten large Barber Shops–many small shops. Four Butchers Two Ice Dealers Five Paper Hangers. Three Confectionery Stores and Ice Cream Manufactories. Two electric power Shoe Repairers. One Machinist. Over fifty Dressmakers–one large establishment. Five Transfer Companies each owned by an individual. Ninety Public School Teachers. Six Paint, Five Building, and Two Brick Contractors. Two Photographers. Three First Class Tailors, who cut and make. Wholesale and Retail: One Grocery. Two Fish and Game, and One Liquor. One Wood and Coal Yard. One Jeweler. One Tinner. Two Upholsterers. Two Steam Laundries. Two First Class Hotels. Two Hospitals. One Cigar Manufactory. One Shoe Store. One Clothing and Gents’ Furnishing Store. One Dry Goods and Millinery Store. Five Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Two Colleges and one Business College. 17 Printers. One Automobile Co. Four First Class Clubs.
The above does not include the hundreds of other smaller business enterprises.
Some buildings herein illustrated are over one hundred years old.
I’ve wondered how many churches there are in Church Hill. I bet twice as many as listed here!
In 2008 there were at least 66:
The churches of Church Hill
/2008/05/17/the-churches-of-church-hill_1630/
From a history of Richmond Public Schools, available at the Library of Virginia:
On September 1, 1881, a lot (132 x 196 feet) was purchased at 29th and “O” streets and a four-room building was completed and ready for occupancy by December 10, 1881. This was followed by a new brick building in 1888, with six rooms and a basement. The 1881 section was demolished in 1974. The two school buildings had been known as “East End School” until the name was changed to George Mason in 1909. A fourteen room addition was constructed in 1936 and a twelve classroom wing added in 1951.