West Freemason in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

West Freemason Street Historic District

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

1. West Freemason Street Historic District Marker

Inscription. In 1686 one hundred acres of land in this vicinity were granted to the Elizabeth River Parish for a glebe. It was sold by the vestry in 1734 to a merchant named Samuel Smith. This was one of the first areas of Norfolk to be developed outside the boundaries of the original fifty acres of the colonial town. Today it is the City's only neighborhood which presents a visible chronology of architectural styles over three centuries. Beginning with the Federal style illustrated by the 1791 Whittle House, the area also contains notable examples of the Greek Revival styles. West Freemason Street retains the cobblestone paving, granite curbs, cast iron fences, and brick sidewalks characteristic of early Norfolk. In 1850 the City's first gas lamps were installed along Freemason Street. Through the 19th and early 20th centuries this was one of Norfolk's finest residential neighborhoods. In 1972 the West Freemason Historic District was entered in the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected by City of Norfolk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Roads & Vehicles

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• Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1686.

Location. 36° 51.127′ N, 76° 17.542′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in West Freemason. It is on West. Freemason Street near Duke Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Taylor-Whittle House, 1791 (within shouting distance of this marker); James W. Hunter House, 1894 (within shouting distance

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 20, 2019

2. West Freemason Street Historic District Marker

of this marker); Old Norfolk Public Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Norfolk College for Young Ladies (approx. 0.2 miles away); Epworth United Methodist Church, 1894 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The John Cary-Weston House, circa 1870 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Littleton Waller Tazewell (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Selden House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

West Freemason Street Historic District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

3. West Freemason Street Historic District

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,953 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on May 24, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on September 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.