Park Place (Norfolk, Virginia) facts for kids
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Park Place Historic District
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Colonial Avenue north of 28th Street
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Colley Avenue., 24th St., Granby St. and 38th St., Norfolk, Virginia |
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| Area | 347 acres (140 ha) |
| Built | 1884 |
| Architect | A.O. Ferebee, Vance Hebard, et al. |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Shingle Style, et al. |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000029 (original) 100001047 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 10, 2006 |
| Boundary increase | June 5, 2017 |
Park Place is a historic and lively neighborhood in Norfolk, Virginia. It's located in the western part of the city. The neighborhood is bordered by Granby Street to the east and Colley Avenue to the west. It stretches from 23rd Street in the south up to 38th Street in the north.
This area is actually made up of four older sections. These are Virginia Place, East Kensington, Park Place, and East Old Dominion Place. Together, they form the unique community we know today as Park Place.
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Discovering Park Place's History
The Park Place Historic District is a special area recognized for its important past. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. This means it's a place with buildings and sites that tell a story about American history. The district was made even bigger in 2017 to include more historic spots.
What is a Historic District?
A historic district is like a special neighborhood where many buildings and places have historical importance. They are protected to help people remember and learn about the past. The Park Place Historic District has over 1,500 buildings that contribute to its historical feel. It also includes two important sites and five structures.
A Neighborhood Built for Streetcars
Park Place is a great example of a "streetcar suburb." This means it grew up around the routes of old electric streetcars. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, people could live in neighborhoods like Park Place. They would then ride the streetcar to work or shop in the city center. This made it easy for people to live a bit further out from the busy downtown area.
Popular Building Styles
As you walk through Park Place, you'll see many different types of buildings. They include homes, shops, and even some old factories and churches. These buildings were built in popular styles of the time. Two main styles you might notice are the Queen Anne and the Shingle Style.
- Queen Anne Style: Imagine houses with towers, turrets, and decorative porches. They often have different textures and colors on their walls.
- Shingle Style: These homes often have wooden shingles covering their walls and roofs. They look more natural and less formal than Queen Anne homes.
Famous Buildings in Park Place
Many buildings in Park Place have their own interesting stories. Here are a few examples:
- Batchelder and Collins (1904): An old commercial building.
- J. W. Gamage and Son (1910): Another historic business spot.
- Rosna Theater (1942) and Newport Plaza and Theater (1930): These were places where people went to watch movies and enjoy entertainment.
- Park Place Baptist Church (1903): One of the older churches in the neighborhood.
- Church of the Ascension (1915): Another beautiful church building.
- Christian Temple (1922): A place of worship with unique architecture.
- Park Place Methodist Church (1949) and Knox Presbyterian Church (1940): More churches that are part of the community's history.
- The Touraine (1915), Colonial Hall Apartments (1925), and Camellia Court (1914): These are examples of historic apartment buildings. They show how people lived in the past.
Park Place is a wonderful place to explore. It offers a glimpse into how neighborhoods grew and changed over a hundred years ago.
