Union Hill, Richmond, Virginia facts for kids
|
Union Hill Historic District
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Virginia
|
|
| Location | Roughly 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th 25th, Jessamine, Pink, Burton, Carrington, Cedar, Clay, Jefferson, Leigh, M, O, Sts Richmond, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Architect | Anderson, D. Wiley; et al. |
| Architectural style | Federal, Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001670 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 2002 |
Union Hill is a special historic neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia. It's called a "historic district" because it has many old buildings and a unique past that are important to protect. The neighborhood is generally found between East Marshall Street and Jefferson Avenue to the south, Mosby Street to the west, O and Carrington streets to the north, and North 25th Street to the east. Union Hill is officially recognized on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important place in Virginia and even across the United States! It's also one of sixteen special "Old and Historic Districts" in Richmond.
History of Union Hill
The name "Union Hill" comes from how the area was built. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, engineers changed the land. They leveled out streets and joined two hills together. This created the neighborhood we know today.
Union Hill has always been a place where many different people lived. It was home to many working-class families. Over time, some people moved away from the neighborhood. This led to many empty or uncared-for buildings by the 1990s.
The city government worked to make the area better. They started projects to reduce crime and clean up neglected properties. Some groups wanted to tear down old buildings. However, a group called the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods disagreed. They are a historic preservationist group. This means they work to save and protect old buildings and historic places. Their efforts helped keep many historic homes safe.
In December 2001, the Union Hill Historic District was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register. A year later, in December 2002, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. This made sure the neighborhood's history would be protected. In the 2010s, more efforts were made to improve and restore the area.
Geography and Architecture
Union Hill is located just north of another historic area, Church Hill.
The buildings in Union Hill show many different styles of architecture. You can see homes built in the Federal style, which was popular in the early days of the United States. There are also buildings in the Greek Revival style, which looks like ancient Greek temples. Other styles found here include Italianate, Queen Anne, and even Art Deco. This mix of styles makes walking through Union Hill like a trip through time!
