North Side in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Washington Park Community
Photographed by Peter Sitko, September 14, 2024
1. Washington Park Community Marker
Emancipated African Americans settled in this area after the Civil War. They organized St. John Baptist Church ca. 1868 and built a sanctuary here in 1893. First Baptist Church was founded in 1921. Two planned developments, Oak Park and Washington Park, constituted what is now known as Washington Park early in the 20th century. The neighborhood's Market Inn nightclub featured performances by such acts as Redd Foxx, the Shirelles, and the Drifters, and was listed in the Green Book, a guide for Black travelers during the segregation era. The City of Richmond annexed part of the community from Henrico Co. in 1914 and the rest in 1942. Dr. Roy West, Richmond's second Black mayor, grew up here.
Erected 2023 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA 135.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 37° 35.261′ N, 77° 26.639′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the North Side. It is on North Avenue east of Piney
this page online
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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Richmond Defences (approx. 0.6 miles away); Appointed to Serve (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Lieutenant Jimmie W. Monteith, Jr. (approx. 0.7 miles away); Old Dominion Building (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Richmond Defences (approx. 1.3 miles away); Spring Park (approx. 1.4 miles away); Joseph Bryan Park (approx.
Photographed by Peter Sitko, September 14, 2024
2. Washington Park Community Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Intermediate Defenses (was approx. Ό mile away but has been confirmed missing); A. P. Hill (was approx. one mile away but has been permanently removed); Sheridan Maneuvers East (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Gabriels Rebellion (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Peter Sitko, September 14, 2024
3. Virginia Green Book Location 1938-1967
The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guidebook for African American travelers, was published by New York City mail carrier Victor Hugo Green in response to pervasive and widespread racial discrimination during the pre-Civil Rights era. Green's guide featured hotels, restaurants, service stations, and other places where African Americans could count on being served.
Photographed by Peter Sitko, September 14, 2024
4. Washington Park Community Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2024, by Peter Sitko of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 595 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2024, by Peter Sitko of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 30, 2025, by Peter Sitko of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
