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

Monticello Hotel, 1898

By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

1. Monticello Hotel, 1898 Marker

Inscription. 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.

Location. 36° 50.882′ N, 76° 17.475′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of East City Hall Avenue and

By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

2. Monticello Hotel, 1898 Marker

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Margaret Douglass (a few steps from this marker); Town Back Creek and Stone Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Tripoli Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Governor Tazewell (about 400 feet away); Granby Street (about 500 feet away); Old City Hall and Courthouse, 1850 (about 700 feet away); Four Farthing or Town Point (about 700 feet away); The Customhouse, 1859 (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Categories. • Notable Buildings •

Early 1900's view of Hotel. Courtesy of Norfolk Public Library image. Click for full size.

By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

3. Early 1900's view of Hotel. Courtesy of Norfolk Public Library

New Years Day Fire, 1918. Courtesy of Norfolk Public Library. image. Click for full size.

By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

4. New Years Day Fire, 1918. Courtesy of Norfolk Public Library.

Hotel Interiors, c 1920. Courtesy of the Library of Virginia. image. Click for full size.

By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010

5. Hotel Interiors, c 1920. Courtesy of the Library of Virginia.

Monticello Hotel - Norfolk, VA image. Click for full size.

Norfolk Public Library, 1902

6. Monticello Hotel - Norfolk, VA

Sargeant Memorial Photograph Collection

Norfolk Fire Department, 1918 image. Click for full size.

Norfolk Public Library, 1918

7. Norfolk Fire Department, 1918

Sargeant Memorial Photograph Collection

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes of Killen, Usa. This page has been viewed 914 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes of Killen, Usa. 6, 7. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.