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

Branch Building

1015 East Main Street

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 22, 2015

1. Branch Building NRHP Marker

Inscription.

This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 37° 32.233′ N, 77° 26.091′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It is on East Main Street (U.S. 60) west of 12th Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1015 East Main Street, 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 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

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South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Spottswood W. Robinson III (within shouting distance of this marker); Richmond Bread Riot (within shouting distance of this marker); Oliver White Hill Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Turning Basin (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Richmond Evacuation Fire (about 500 feet away); 1201 East Cary Street (about 500 feet away); Black Hawk (1767-1838) (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Great Turning Basin (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Treasury Building of the Confederate States of America (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Branch Building. National Register Statement of Significance:

The iron-front building at 1015 East Main Street was erected circa 1866 on the site of an earlier building that had been destroyed by fire during the evacuation of Richmond in 1865. The building was erected to house the Virginia Fire and Marine Insurance Company

Branch Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 22, 2015

2. Branch Building and Marker

Marker on the pilaster on right side of stairway

and served as their headquarters until 1953 when it was sold to Branch and Company. The structure is an exceptionally fine example of the post-Civil War iron-fronted commercial building. Its free standing arcade on the street level is a most unusual and successfully handled feature.

Also see . . . Branch Building National Register Nomination Form. (Submitted on November 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 53 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.