Hey, history buffs. Submit your unofficial historical locations around town.
Have you ever looked at a local spot and thought, “This place deserves to be commemorated?” Our city is full of history, much of which is indicated by markers around town.
Historical markers reveal significant places, streets, neighborhoods, buildings, businesses, and cultural events from the past or present. Think: First African Baptist Church, Old City Hall, and the Reconciliation Statue.
But not all significant areas get the attention they deserve. What about a marker for the legendary Bagel the Beagle? Or the Richmond Gun Hole? We want to put these places on the map — literally.
Rules + details
Submit your historic place for a chance to be featured nationwide on our historical marker map. Our favorite submissions will then be featured in our newsletter, where we’ll put it to a vote. Who knows? Maybe it will receive an official historical marker.
Submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Finalists will be selected by our team and announced in our newsletter. These finalists will then go head-to-head in a vote for our readers’ favorite. The winner will be announced later in December. No promises that it will get an actual historical marker, but it will be one in our hearts.
Want to know more about official historical markers around town? Check out the Historical Marker Database.
The results
You’ve submitted your favorites, now it’s time for us to reveal the finalists for the RICtoday historical marker contest. Check out the nominations below, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite.
Granite Village
This neighborhood’s history dates back to just before the Civil War. Reader Sarah F. had this to say about the close-knit community: “Granite Village was a small predominately African American village located off Forest Hill Avenue near Willow Oaks and Stratford Hills. Many of the residents worked in the granite quarry that is now the country club and the headquarters were located where the granite pool is now.”
In September, former community members hosted the Granite Festival to share the neighborhood’s story.
Francine the Lowe’s Cat
“In 2017, a cat wandered into the outside Lawn and Garden area of Lowe’s 1037 and never left,” wrote Reader Vim. “Eventually the cat was named Francine and has become a staple of the Richmond community.”
Many Richmonders know the thrill of a Francine spotting. The relaxation-prone cat has become a local favorite in a relatively short amount of time, earning her a place among the finalists.
Southern States Silos
Manchester’s history as an industrial hub is marked on the Richmond skyline in the form of the Southern States silos, which still stand near the Mayo Bridge. The building dates back to the 1940s.
Reader Sheila L. suggested that this site would be a great place for an agriculture museum. We like the idea of a historical marker given the silos’ likely demolition in the near future.
East End Cemetery
Founded in 1897, several notable Richmonders are buried in this cemetery, including educator and journalist Rosa Dixon Bowser and doctor Richard Fillmore Tancil. Reader Sharon G. called it “Richmond’s African American ‘Hollywood’ in it’s day.”
The Friends of East End have been working to clear vegetation, remove trash, and recover grave markers for over a decade.
It doesn’t stop there — we got more submissions than these. Just check out our map of unofficial historical locations — both locally and across the nation.
Voting closes Wednesday, Dec. 11 — so be sure to vote for the historical location you’d love to see recognized for its significance.
