City Center in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Miller & Rhoads

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021

1. Miller & Rhoads Marker

Inscription. Pennsylvanians Linton Miller, Webster Rhads, and Simon Gerhart opened a dry goods shop several blocks west of here in 1885. Later known as Miller & Rhoads, the business moved here in 1888, became an upscale department store, and ultimately expanded to nearly half a million square feet of floor space. Miller & Rhoads, along with its friendly rival Thalhimers, anchored Richmond's retail district and drew shoppers from across the region. After African Americans picketed and boycotted downtown stores, Miller & Rhoads fully desegregated by 1961. The company opened more than 20 stores in Virginia and North Carolina before closing in 1990. This building reopened as a mixed-use facility in 2009.

Erected 2018 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-119.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 37° 32.561′ N, 77° 26.238′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in City Center. It is on East Broad Street (U.S. 33/250) just east of North 5th Street, on the right when traveling

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east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 E Broad St, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central 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 South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The "Richmond 34" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Miller & Rhoads (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Richmond 34 (about 400 feet away); George Wythe (about 400 feet away); The Hotel John Marshall (about 600 feet away); First Trolley Car System in Richmond (about 800 feet away); John Mitchell, Jr., "Fighting Editor" (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Peter's Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This is another historical marker about Miller and Rhoads.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 30, 2021

2. Miller & Rhoads Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 28, 2025

3. Miller & Rhoads Marker

A historic Miller & Rhoads projecting sign can be seen in the background

Miller & Rhoads projecting sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 28, 2025

4. Miller & Rhoads projecting sign

Miller and Rhoads image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, January 28, 2025

5. Miller and Rhoads

Miller and Rhoads is engraved into the stone of the building where the store was once located.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,361 times since then and 116 times this year. Last updated on September 17, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 28, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.