Broad Street (Richmond, Virginia) facts for kids
Broad Street is a really important road in Richmond, Virginia, and nearby Henrico County. It stretches for about 24 kilometers (15 miles)! This street is special because it's always been a hub for shops, restaurants, and offices throughout Richmond's history. From the busy downtown area all the way out to the suburbs, Broad Street is packed with places to shop and work, including big shopping centers and malls.
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Exploring Broad Street
Broad Street starts on the eastern side of Richmond, near Chimborazo Park. It winds through historic neighborhoods like Church Hill before reaching Downtown Richmond. As you head west from downtown, Broad Street is also known as U.S. Route 250. It goes through Richmond's West End and out to the suburbs, past places like Short Pump, where it meets major highways like I-295 and I-64.
If you keep going even further west into Goochland County, Broad Street changes its name to Broad Street Road. It's still part of U.S. Route 250 and actually continues for a very long way!
A special bus line called the GRTC Pulse runs along Broad Street. It's a fast way to get around, connecting the western edge of the city at the Willow Lawn station all the way to 14th Street in Downtown Richmond.
Broad Street's Story
Downtown Richmond's History
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Broad Street Commercial Historic District
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1913 postcard view of Broad Street, looking South, at 7th and Broad Streets. Notice the streetcars.
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| Location | Along Broad St. area roughly bounded by Belvidere, Marshall, Fourth and Grace, Richmond, Virginia |
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| Area | 29 acres (12 ha) |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000611 (original) 04000851 (increase 1) 07000219 (increase 2) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 09, 1987 |
| Boundary increases | August 11, 2004 March 27, 2007 |
Broad Street in Downtown Richmond is home to many historic places. One of these is the beautiful Empire Theatre, which is the oldest theater still operating in Virginia! Theatre IV, a large children's theater group, owns the Empire and puts on its main shows there.
Years ago, trains from the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad actually ran right down the middle of Broad Street! The area around Sixth and Broad Streets used to be a huge shopping center for the entire Southeast. There were many big department stores like Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimers, along with other popular shops. It was also famous for its "theater row," with places like the National Theatre.
Important buildings like Monumental Church, the Library of Virginia, and the city halls (both old and new) are also located on Broad Street. In 1919, the train station moved to a new spot called Broad Street Station, which was further out in the suburbs.
Shopping in the West End
As Richmond grew, the main shopping areas also moved westward. Today, a major shopping destination is Short Pump Town Center in western Henrico County, right on Broad Street. It features popular stores like Macy's and Dillard's, showing how Broad Street continues to be a key place for shopping and business in the Richmond area.
