Near Charlottesville in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The University “Corner”
A Student Rendezvous Since the Mid-1800s
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 15, 2008
1. The University “Corner” Marker
In the early 1900s “The Corner,” so named by the University crowd, was but a sparse collection of businesses at the entrance to the University Grounds—literally just a corner. In the intervening years “The Corner” has grown into a bustling commercial district.
Many of “The Corner’s” early structures still stand along University Ave.—between 14th and Chancellor Streets—including the C&O railroad bridge (1901), also known as the “Bridge of Scores”; Chancellor’s Drugstore (1914), located at 1411-1415; the Corner Building (1814), at 1412; and the Anderson Brothers Bookstore building (1891), at 1415. Two of “The Corner’s” institutions are: The Virginian Restaurant (1923), at 1521, one of the oldest eateries in the city; and Mincer’s Pipe Shop (1923) which opened at its 1527 address in 1954.
Tree-lined Elliewood Ave. is the city’s liveliest dead-end street. Named in 1910 for Ellie Wood Page (1894–1986), whose mother ran a boarding house, Elliewood Ave. became a busy thoroughfare of restaurants and shops in the 1970s.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1412.
Location. 38° 2.07′ N, 78° 30.026′
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Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont and 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: Memorial to Enslaved Laborers (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Testimonial (about 500 feet away); Welcome to UniBap Park (about 800 feet away); Charlottesville General Hospital (about 800 feet away); Claude Moore, M.D. (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Woodrow Wilson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Georgia O’Keeffe (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.
Also see . . . The Corner, Charlottesville, Virginia. “The Gus Burger [at the White Spot] was named after ‘Dr. Gus,’ who used to work across the street at the hospital long ago, and who habitually ordered up a cheeseburger with a fried egg on top. Another favorite was the ice box pie (Jell-o mix and milk on graham cracker pie crust put in the refrigerator to congeal—apparently a popular WWII-era concoction). And of course, the sausage gravy made by Nat Pritchett was a great soak-up-the-booze hangover antidote on Saturday and
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 15, 2008
2. The University “Corner” and Marker
Marker is on the brick wall directly below the streetlamp. Building wedged between the two larger buildings is 1419½ University Boulevard.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 15, 2008
3. “The Corner” from the University Entrance on Hospital Street
The Chancellor Building is on the right. The White Spot Restaurant is to the right of the stop sign. The Medical School building is behind the photographer.
J. J. Prats Postcard Collection
4. Opposite The University “Corner”
Circa 1948 postcard “Medical School and Hospital, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.” published by the City Newstore in Charlottesville.
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 15, 2009
5. Mincer’s Pipe Shop (1923)
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 15, 2009
6. Anderson Brothers Bookstore building (1891)
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 15, 2009
7. C&O railroad bridge (1901)
Photographed by Paul Crumlish
8. Chancellor’s Drugstore (1914)
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 15, 2009
9. Elliewood Avenue
Photographed by Paul Crumlish
10. The Virginian Restaurant (1923)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,311 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on July 26, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 30, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on September 28, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on August 16, 2009, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
