Richmond Uncovers Original Cobblestone Street
By Margaret Foster | Online Only | Nov. 24, 2009
Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones at the "Uncovering Richmond's Cobblestone Streets" event on Nov. 20, 2009
Credit: Charles Mcfarlane
A historic Richmond neighborhood looks a little more historic this week. Last Friday, Mayor Dwight Jones—surrounded by 50 onlookers—grabbed a pickaxe and began uncovering the original granite pavers beneath a street in Shockoe Bottom, just to the east of the state capitol.
About 300 feet of original cobblestones will be uncovered during the $10,000 project, sponsored by the city, state, and several neighborhood groups.
"It's a literal example of honoring and uncovering the history that is beneath our feet," says Kathleen Kilpatrick, director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, which provided $2,000 for the project. "It's amazing what's intact under the pavement—and what a challenge it will be to uncover and liberate all those wonderful historic pavers."
For years Shockoe Bottom residents have wanted to "liberate" more of their original streets. Charles Macfarlane, co-owner of the restored Power Plant at Lucky Strike, which reopened as offices in January, estimates that four blocks of cobblestones are exposed in the neighborhood. Locals were granted their wish last year, when city workers began installing street lamps and granite curbs as part of the Lucky Strike project.
"They wanted to tear up the cobblestones and put in asphalt," Macfarlane says. "We begged and pleaded with them not to do that." Instead, the city agreed to help fund the street restoration effort.
The current project isn't completed yet, Macfarlane says. Workers will need another month to remove the remaining asphalt; they will then reinstall or replace missing granite pavers.
"There's more work to do," Macfarlane says. "We've got a ways to go."
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Comments
Submitted by Cobblestone Development Group at: May 23, 2010
Actually Harvey, those stones in the picture above are reffered to as setts.
Submitted by wambus at: February 25, 2010
We refered to them as cobblestones in press releases because people look at you funny when you say "Belgian Block". The added benefit to maintaining and restoring these stones is that they serve as traffic calming elements. Granted they can be a little slippery when wet, drivers usually slow down when confronted with this surface. This location was a bad spot for aggressive speed aquisition. They also will not need re-surfacing in our lifetime, unlike an asphalt street. They are not for every location, though. If you have old, failing utililties under them, you should address those defiencies prior to a surface restoration project. Also, due to the length of time required to install the stones, very high traffic areas are not allways practical ( having the street blocked for extended periods of time ).
Submitted by Scott at: December 13, 2009
I wish my town was that aware of it's past. We have huge Victorian neighborhoods and the city constantly asphalts the streets, even repairable ones.
Submitted by Barbara at: December 12, 2009
Congratulations! You all have thankful hearts to have found and KEEP the cobblestones. This is a duty and gift to those that follow us. I wish our town cared that much.
Submitted by Jeffro at: December 11, 2009
I can get some more pavers to help the project. Let me know if you ned the grey or red/brown and how many. I will do what I can. Jeff Hicks; Milw., WI.
Submitted by Harvey W.Goolsby at: December 11, 2009
You have named the material wrongly; it is commonly called "Belgian Block" (shaped). cobblestone is completely unshaped stones. Both rounded over on their top surfaces as steel wheeled vehicles and steel shod horses trafficked over.