Shockoe Slip facts for kids
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Shockoe Slip Historic District
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view facing the Columbian Block
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| Location | Roughly along E. Cary St. between S. 14th and S. 12 Sts. (Original); Roughly bounded by Seaboard RR tracks, Downtown Expressway, Main, Dock, and 12th Sts. (Increase I);Richmond, Virginia |
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| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha)21 acres (8.5 ha)3.5 acres (1.4 ha) |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001526 (original) 83003307 (increase 1) 05000916 (increase 2) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 29, 1972 |
| Boundary increases | April 20, 1983 August 24, 2005 |
Shockoe Slip is a cool historic area in downtown Richmond, Virginia. The name "slip" comes from a narrow path that once led from Main Street. This path was used to load and unload goods from the old James River and Kanawha Canal.
Today, Shockoe Slip is roughly located between 14th Street, Main Street, Canal Street, and 12th Street. Many of its buildings were built after a big fire in 1865. This fire happened when Confederate forces left Richmond during the American Civil War. The buildings often feature an Italianate style, which means they look like Italian Renaissance buildings.
At the center of the area is a fountain from 1909. It was built to honor "one who loved animals." In the past, the buildings held offices, shops, and places to buy things in bulk. Now, you'll find mostly restaurants, unique shops, offices, and apartments there.
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Discovering Shockoe Slip's Past
Shockoe Slip started to grow in the late 1700s. This happened after Richmond became the state capital. A bridge was built across the James River, which helped the area develop. Important tobacco businesses also set up nearby. These included public warehouses and the Federal Customs House.
The Great Fire and Rebuilding
In April 1865, a huge fire swept through Richmond. This happened as Confederate forces were leaving the city during the Civil War. They were ordered to burn tobacco warehouses. But the fire spread quickly and destroyed Shockoe Slip and other parts of the city.
However, the district was rebuilt very fast in the late 1860s. It became even more successful in the 1870s. Many of the historic buildings you see today were built during this time.
Changes Over Time
Shockoe Slip began to decline in the 1920s. This was because cars became popular, and other areas of the city grew. Many buildings were torn down. For example, the Tobacco Exchange, which was very important to the area, was removed in the 1950s.
Shockoe Slip Today: A Revitalized District
Starting in the 1960s and picking up speed in the 1970s, Shockoe Slip was brought back to life. It became a lively place for businesses and entertainment. This restoration happened as people became more interested in historic preservation. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This list recognizes important historical places in the United States.
Some of the first new restaurants in the area included The Tobacco Company and Sam Miller's. Sam Miller's was a name from a popular 19th-century Richmond restaurant.
Art and Living in Shockoe Slip
Shockoe Slip was also home to one of Richmond's first art galleries run by artists, called Artspace 1306. This gallery later moved to different locations.
The area also saw some of the first renovated apartments downtown. When the restoration happened, asphalt was removed from the streets. This uncovered the old Belgian block streets, which are made of special paving stones.
Shockoe Slip is still a popular place to live and work today. Many companies have their offices here. For example, The Martin Agency has been headquartered in Shockoe Slip since 1997. Other companies like Workshop Digital and CarMax have also moved parts of their teams here. More people are choosing to live in the city, especially students and young professionals.
In 2015, the First Freedom Center opened in Shockoe Slip. It celebrates the passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. This important law helped ensure religious freedom for everyone.
Images for kids
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A view of Shockoe Slip, showing the historic buildings.
