Arthur Ashe Boulevard facts for kids
|
Boulevard Historic District
|
|
 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 10--300 S. Arthur Ashe Boulevard and 10--800 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Area | 61 acres (25 ha) |
| Architect | Davis Bros.; Et al. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 86002887 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1986 |
Arthur Ashe Boulevard is a well-known street in Richmond, Virginia. It's often called "the Boulevard" by locals. This historic street is located near the West End of the city. It helps people get to Byrd Park, a popular spot. The Boulevard also forms a border between two interesting areas: the Carytown/Museum District to the west and the Fan district to the east.
Contents
Renaming Arthur Ashe Boulevard
For many years, people tried to rename this street after Arthur Ashe. He was a famous tennis player and a champion for social justice. Arthur Ashe was born and grew up right here in Richmond. Previous attempts to change the street's name didn't work out. However, in February 2019, the Richmond City Council finally voted to officially change the name to Arthur Ashe Boulevard. This was a big moment for the city.
Key Features of the Boulevard
Arthur Ashe Boulevard is home to several important landmarks and connections.
The Nickel Bridge
Near the southern end of the Boulevard, you'll find Richmond's Boulevard Bridge. People often call it the "Nickel Bridge." This nickname comes from its history, as it used to cost just a nickel to cross it. The bridge goes over the James River.
Important Intersections
The Boulevard connects with many main roads in Richmond. These include Cary Street, Main Street, Monument Avenue, and Broad Street. The Historic District of the Boulevard ends at Broad Street. It also crosses Leigh Street and Interstate 64/95. The street finally ends at Hermitage Road.
The Diamond Stadium
A well-known sports venue, The Diamond, is located right on Arthur Ashe Boulevard. This stadium is a popular place for baseball games and other events.
Historical Statues
The intersection of Arthur Ashe Boulevard and Monument Avenue used to have a statue of Stonewall Jackson. This statue, along with others on Monument Avenue, has since been removed by the city.
State Route 161
Arthur Ashe Boulevard is also known as State Route 161. In the 1940s and 1950s, this route was very important. It was promoted as a way to bypass downtown Richmond. This was before major highways like the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and Interstate 95 were built. State Route 161 helped connect U.S. Route 1 north and south of the city.
Rumors of War Sculpture
In 2019, a large outdoor sculpture called Rumors of War was put up next to Arthur Ashe Boulevard. This amazing artwork was created by American artist Kehinde Wiley. It is now a part of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts permanent collection. The sculpture stands between the museum and the United Daughters of the Confederacy headquarters. Kehinde Wiley created "Rumors of War" as a response to the large equestrian statues that were once on Monument Avenue. These statues, including the one of J.E.B. Stuart, have since been removed by the city.
