08.20.2024

Today’s Forecast

79º | 6% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:30 a.m. | Sunset 7:55 p.m.

🪨 No asphalt, no problem

The history of cobblestone streets in Shockoe Slip

shockoe slip fountain rictoday richmond va

The Morgan Fountain in Shockoe Slip. | Photo courtesy Doug Kerr

If you’ve driven, biked, walked, or otherwise traversed Canal and Cary between 12th and 14th Streets, you may have noticed that it’s quite a bumpy journey. The cobblestone roads, an iconic part of the Shockoe Slip neighborhood, have a long history.

The history

Near the end of the Civil War in 1865, Confederate soldiers fleeing Richmond set fire to the city. In the Reconstruction period that followed, streets and infrastructure had to be rebuilt. The roads near the bustling shipping district were lined with granite setts, also known as Belgian blocks.

These cobblestones proved effective for horse traffic on the hilly streets near the James. The uneven surface provided a better grip for horse hooves. In addition, setts were arranged perpendicular to the sidewalk so that water and sewage in the streets would be directed to gutters.

A watercolor sketch of Shockoe Slip with several storefronts and cobblestone streets. There are people milling about the street in the abstract. — A sketch of the Shockoe Slip neighborhood from the 1960s.
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Photo from VCU Library Digital Collection

Rediscovery

Sometime between the 19th century and the 1970s, the streets were paved over with asphalt. However, in the winter of 1978, the city began removing the asphalt and discovered that 70% of the old cobbles were still intact. On May 20, 1979, with the support of the Historic Richmond Foundation, the Shockoe Slip Association, and the Central Richmond Association, 125 volunteers restored the historic setts.

The cobblestones complimented the rejuvenation of the neighborhood, which was ongoing. The Tobacco Company had opened in 1977, and several companies were eyeing the blocks for office and retail spaces.

A shot of the Shockoe Slip Morgan Fountain from the 70s, before the streets were re-cobbled. The fountain area is cobbles and in the background the street is asphalt. — The Morgan Fountain, pictured in 1977.
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Photo from VCU Library Digital Collection

The cobblestones today

In 2004, the Department of Public Works completed the Canal Street Cobblestone restoration project. The streets also have a few contemporary benefits, including their propensity to slow traffic on a busy, pedestrian-heavy street.

In 2015, cobblestones around the city introduced a challenging factor to the UCI Road World Championship. Cycling enthusiasts may remember several flat tires and chains popping loose due to the historic terrain.

The cobblestones probably won’t be going anywhere for the foreseeable future — they’re a marker of our city’s history. Wondering more about the story behind how Richmond was built? Tell us what you want us to investigate.

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Events

Tuesday, Aug. 20

Jonny Craig | Tuesday, Aug. 20 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall | $20 | The singer will perform with Call Me Karizma, The Milestones, and Sterling.

Wednesday, Aug. 21

Summer Happy Hour | Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Quiubo Parce Colombian Restaurant & Bakery | Free entry | Register to meet other entrepreneurs and enjoy local Colombian food and drinks.
Flying Squirrels vs. Altoona Curve | Wednesday, Aug. 21 | 6:35 p.m. | The Diamond | $10-$25 | Teachers and school administrators can receive a free general admission ticket by presenting their school ID at the box office.

Thursday, Aug. 22

Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 6 p.m. | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | $38-$48 | This tribute act will put on the show of your dreams at Groovin In The Garden.
UnHappy Hour: Poe Goes Punk | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 6-9 p.m. | The Poe Museum | $10-$12 | Bat Boy, Doll Baby, and Teens in Trouble will entertain the crowd with drinks from Funktastic Meads & Beer and eats by 1115 Mobile Kitchen.

Friday, Aug. 23

“Firebringer” | Friday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 25 | 8 p.m. | Dogwood Dell | Free | This year’s Festival of Arts includes three performances of this comedy musical.
Crumb | Friday, Aug. 23 | 8 p.m. | The National | $30+ | Rock out with the alt-indie band and L’Rain.

Saturday, Aug. 24

Richmond Moon Market | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 12-5 p.m. | Stone Brewing Tap Room | Free entry | Shop from local artisans at this curated craft and wellness market also featuring live music, food, workshops, and speakers.

See the full calendar

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

Green Club, an indoor golf simulation facility, is opening in Midlothian. The idea for the facility was born from co-owner Kyle Petersen’s desire to improve his own golf skills. Headed up by Peterson and Jarad Earley, Green Club will be opening later this month. (Richmond BizSense)

Museum

The Branch Museum’s newest exhibit, “Re-Think Urban Planning,” is open. Head to the Monument Avenue museum Tuesdays-Sundays to learn about the Richmond 300 Master Plan and the broader history of urban planning.

Biz

Ryba’s Pierogies, a local company based out of Hatch Kitchen, has big plans for expansion over the next five years. Right now, you can enjoy the fresh pierogies at farmers markets around Richmond. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Arts

Another VR-integrated art installation is open in Richmond. “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” allows visitors to enjoy paintings alongside special lighting and sounds — or, for an extra fee, through VR headsets. The exhibit is open at Exhibition Hub Richmond Art Center until October. (Style Weekly)

Plan Ahead

The Richmond Zine Fest will return to RPL’s Main Branch on Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5. Friday will be devoted to free workshops and Saturday will feature hours of tabling from independent artists. More details are soon to come.

Kids

After a brief shutdown, the spray park at Taylor Farm Park is back up and running. The splash facility at Henrico’s newest park opened to visitors again yesterday.

Pets

Unexpected vet bills can get real pricey real quick. That’s why Lemonade Pet Insurance offers ultra-customizable coverage plans on an easy-to-use app. You get peace of mind + your furry friends get the top-notch care they deserve.*

Asked

What are your unwritten rules of Richmond?

Unwritten rules of Richmond

Every good River City citizen knows not to go in the James after it rains. | Photo by RICtoday

If you live and die by Ukrop’s rainbow cookies, you know there are River City traditions non-Richmonders just don’t understand. Seriously — they’ve been called the Lil’ Sebastian of Richmond.

If you’re lucky enough to be from the 804, we want to know: What are the unwritten rules of the River City?

For example, consider the fact that every Richmonder seems to know all the words to the Agee’s song — and might perform it on command.

Share your rules with us at the button below and you could be featured in a future newsletter.

Your River City rules

The Buy

The Buy 8.20.24 (Affiliate)

A laundry hamper cabinet. This easy-to-assemble space-saver comes complete with a hidden compartment for the laundry hamper, as well as a drawer and shelves that are functional storage solutions.

More worth The Buy

Answered

The playing field at the Diamond is decades older than the surrounding stadium. This weekend, we asked readers when that field was built.

This time, we stumped a lot of you! While 42.6% of respondents said it was built in 1946, 40.7% hit it out of the park, correctly identifying that it dates back to 1954. The field was built for Parker Stadium, which stood on the same land now occupied by the Diamond.

See who nailed it

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Personally, I love the Shockoe cobblestones — it’s the Monument Avenue cobblestones I have a vendetta against. Every time I drive down Monument my car sounds like a maraca on four wheels. Maybe I should get that checked out.

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