The Fan District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Monroe Park

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009

1. Monroe Park Marker

Inscription. In 1851 the City of Richmond planned a series of parks including Western Square now known as Monroe Park. In the 1850s it served as grounds for what became the state fair organized by the Virginia State Agricultural Society. During the Civil War it was the site of a Confederate instructional camp, and in 1864, a military hospital. In 1866, some of the city's earliest baseball games were played here. Its development as a park began in 1869 in one of Richmond's emerging fashionable neighborhoods. The park contains a pattern of walks radiating from an elaborate four-tiered, cast-iron fountain. A portion of it once was a playground and it has been the scene of political rallies, protest demonstrations, and concerts.

Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-67.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 37° 32.829′ N, 77° 27.081′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in The Fan District. It is at the intersection of North Laurel Street and South Cathedral

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Place, on the right when traveling north on North Laurel Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23220, 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: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Monroe Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Founders Hall (about 700 feet away); Richmond Professional Institute (about 700 feet away); John B. Fenn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jacob House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Equal Suffrage League of Virginia (approx. ¼ mile away); Etam Cru, Poland (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Richmond Howitzers Monument (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Monroe Park. During the Civil War, VMI cadets under Stonewall Jackson drilled new recruits here.

Also see . . . Monroe Park Conservancy. (Submitted on July 4, 2009.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009

2. Monroe Park Marker

Checkers House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009

3. Checkers House

Central Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009

4. Central Fountain

Wickham Monument, 1891 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009

5. Wickham Monument, 1891

Wickham "Soldier, statesman, patriot, friend." Presented to the City of Richmond by comrades in the Confederate army and employees of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company Reverse Williams Carter Wickham September 21 - 1820. July 23 - 1888

General Fitzhugh Lee Monument, 1911. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009

6. General Fitzhugh Lee Monument, 1911.

To commemorate the memory of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee commanding 7th Army Corps U.S.A. 1898-1899. Erected by the 7th Army Corps Veterans Assn. & Auxiliary

World War II Monument, 1951. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, July 3, 2009

7. World War II Monument, 1951.

In Memoriam Richmond men and women who gave their lives in the Second World War. Erected by Richmond Post No. 1 The American Legion

Gen'l W.C. Wickham Monument (In Monroe Park), Richmond, Va. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Southern Bargain House, Richmond, Va.

8. Gen'l W.C. Wickham Monument (In Monroe Park), Richmond, Va.

VCU Libraries Digital Collections - Rarely Seen Richmond

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,363 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 8. submitted on May 10, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.