Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Monticello Hotel, 1898
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
1. Monticello Hotel, 1898 Marker
Inscription.
Monticello Hotel, 1898. . The Monticello Hotel, which opened at the corner of City Hall Avenue and Granby Street on September 27, 1898, was the largest and finest hotel in Norfolk for over 60 years. The hotel was built on filled land. By 1885 Town Back Creek had been filled to Granby Street. Construction of the hotel spurred additional development along the new City Hall Avenue. The hotel suffered a devastating fire on January 1, 1918. In addition to the flames, fire fighters had to deal with bitter cold and ice. When it reopened in 1919, two additional floors had been added, including a large dining room and horseshoe-shaped ballroom known in later years as the Starlight Room. This became a favored location for balls, dances, and community events. The grandly appointed mahogany bar doubled as a billiards parlor during Prohibition. During the 1933 hurricane, the hotel and broad area of downtown suffered considerable flood damage. The Monticello Hotel was the first building in Norfolk to be imploded in January 1976 to make way for the Norfolk Federal building now on this site.
The Monticello Hotel, which opened at the corner of City Hall Avenue and Granby Street on September 27, 1898, was the largest and finest hotel in Norfolk for over 60 years. The hotel was built on filled land. By 1885 Town Back Creek had been filled to Granby Street. Construction of the hotel spurred additional development along the new City Hall Avenue. The hotel suffered a devastating fire on January 1, 1918. In addition to the flames, fire fighters had to deal with bitter cold and ice. When it reopened in 1919, two additional floors had been added, including a large dining room and horseshoe-shaped ballroom known in later years as the Starlight Room. This became a favored location for balls, dances, and community events. The grandly appointed mahogany bar doubled as a billiards parlor during Prohibition. During the 1933 hurricane, the hotel and broad area of downtown suffered considerable flood damage. The Monticello Hotel was the first building in Norfolk to be imploded in January 1976 to make way for the Norfolk Federal building now on this site.
Erected by City of Norfolk.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1787.
Location. 36° 50.882′ N, 76° 17.475′ W. Marker is
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in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of East City Hall Avenue and Granby Street, on the right when traveling west on East City Hall Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
4. Early 1900's view of Hotel. Courtesy of Norfolk Public Library
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
5. New Years Day Fire, 1918. Courtesy of Norfolk Public Library.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
6. Hotel Interiors, c 1920. Courtesy of the Library of Virginia.
Norfolk Public Library, 1902
7. Monticello Hotel - Norfolk, VA
Sargeant Memorial Photograph Collection
Norfolk Public Library, 1918
8. Norfolk Fire Department, 1918
Sargeant Memorial Photograph Collection
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,749 times since then and 131 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on February 5, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 7, 8. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
