Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Moment in Time: Circa 1925
Fredericksburg: Timeless.
Historic preservation does not freeze time, but makes visible the ongoing changes within a community. While many architectural details remain intact, most of the street-level storefronts are different today than they were in the 1920s, and some were different then from when they were built.
In the 1920s, photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston exposed hundreds of images in Fredericksburg. This one was captioned: "Merchants' Stores and Offices, Brick Row, Commerce and Main Streets, Fredericksburg, Virginia." Those street names have been changed back to their original Colonial period names—William and Caroline Streets. Similarly, some of the visible buildings have changed as well.
Bond's Drug Store extended across two storefronts, identified by its awnings. Next was Spitler's Auto Supply (note the gas pumps on the sidewalk!). Between the two gas pumps, a barber pole is visible. That building, with a different faηade, is a barbershop today. Continuing uphill is J.E. Gallahan's Electric, Shelton's Shoe Repair, and The American Cafι, featuring "Southern Cooking."
Erected by Fredericksburg Economic Development
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Fredericksburg: Timeless. series list.
Location. 38° 18.218′ N, 77° 27.57′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Caroline Street (Business U.S. 17) and William Street, on the right when traveling north on Caroline Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 925 Caroline St, Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Inalienable Rights (a few steps from this marker); Civil Rights (a few steps from this marker); Constitutional Crisis (a few steps from this marker); Center of Eighteenth Century Urban Life (within shouting distance of this marker); Mercantile Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Randolph Ball (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); The Second Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
Other markers no longer nearby. Seeking Civil Rights (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Stating Inalienable Rights (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Weedons Tavern (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); First Town Hall / Market House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Second Town Hall / Market House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 515 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 12, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
