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.
West Freemason Street Historic District. . 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.
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.
is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in West Freemason. Marker 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.
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 1,089 times since then and 65 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.
