08.23.2024

Today’s Forecast

83º | 6% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:32 a.m. | Sunset 7:51 p.m.

What in the world is a street road?

“Cary Street Road” seems a little redundant, don’t you think? | Photo via RICtoday

Anyone from Richmond will tell you: The street names around here are full of history. Streets like Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Patterson Avenue, and Foushee Street are named for notable Richmonders throughout history.

But for those willing to read between the lanes, there are traces of city history to be found in street names beyond their namesakes.

Throughout the city, there are several major thoroughfares bearing the designation “street road.” Hull Street becomes Hull Street Road at about 37th Street, and when Cary Street crosses over I-195, it becomes Cary Street Road.

At first glance, these transition points might seem arbitrary. But when you dig into the history of Richmond’s annexations from its surrounding counties, a pattern becomes clear.

Much of Richmond’s Far West End was once part of Henrico County. The city annexed large swaths of land from its neighbors in the early 1940s. The point at which Cary Street becomes Cary Street Road is actually the former border between the city and county.

The same is true for Hull Street and Hull Street Road — the point at which the street name changes is actually the former city limit. In 1970, Richmond annexed 23 square miles of Chesterfield County.

A map conveying that Richmond annexed 23 square miles of Chesterfield county in 1970 — In 1970, Richmond annexed 23 square miles of Chesterfield County.
|
Map via Chesterfield County documents

The move was controversial due to its impact on the city’s demographics. The area annexed was predominantly white, and city leaders even privately admitted that the addition was partly aimed to dilute the voting power of Richmond’s Black residents. The new borders stood, but led to a 1971 voting rights lawsuit and, eventually, a moratorium on city annexations.

Despite the historical evidence that these “street roads” mark the sites of historical city limits, we could dig up no official law or policy explaining why these streets needed to become roads when they passed into counties. The experts we reached out to didn’t know of any specific policies either.

This is where you come in: Do you know why these streets became “street roads?” Can you point us to any archived bylaws that caused this? Drop us a line.

Send in your tips

Asked

Hull Street (and, by extension, Hull Street Road) is named after Isaac Hull. For what is Hull notable?

A. Commanding a battleship during the American Revolution
B. Owning a farm on what is now the Broad Rock area
C. Serving as Mayor of Richmond from 1896-1900
D. Winning a 1928 Olympic medal in the triple jump

Take a guess

Events

Friday, Aug. 23

Ashland Fourth Fridays | Friday, Aug. 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Ashland Town Hall Pavillion | Free entry | Enjoy shops open late, farm-to-table fresh fare, and free live concerts every fourth Friday from May to September in Downtown Ashland.
Crumb | Friday, Aug. 23 | 8 p.m. | The National | $30 | Rock out with the alt-indie band and L’Rain.

Saturday, Aug. 24

Collect-A-Con | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 10 a.m. | Greater Richmond Convention Center | $25-$150 | Explore 700+ dealer tables at this trading card, anime, and pop culture convention.
Flying Squirrels vs. Altoona Curve | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 6:05 p.m. | The Diamond | $10-$25 | Rock your tie-dye for Grateful Fans Night and stick around after the game for fireworks.

Sunday, Aug. 25

VCU Women’s Soccer vs. N.C. State | Sunday, Aug. 25 | 1-3 p.m. | Sports Backers Stadium | $8-$11 | The Rams face the Wolfpack in their first home game of the season.

Monday, Aug. 26

“Ratified” | Monday, Aug. 26 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre | $5-$28 | Learn about the 100-year effort to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment at this documentary screening followed by a Q+A session.

More weekend happenings

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News Notes

Opening

Zorch Pizza’s second location is hosting a grand opening on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The NY-style pizza place — and our readers’ favorite local slice — is coming to the Forest Hill space formerly occupied by Don’t Look Back. (Richmond Magazine)

Outdoors

The Pipeline Trail has been closed for over a month now, since the titular pipeline was found to be leaking into the James in July. The leak has been fixed, but it’s unclear when the trail will reopen — in the meantime, we’ve got other options for you. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Edu

American Sign Language instructors at RPS had their contracts officially renewed after the School Board meeting on Tuesday night. Instructors and community members spoke in favor of reinstating continuing contracts, noting the importance of job security compared to being given a notice of appointment document. (VPM)

Biz

Carytown’s favorite brasserie is coming under new ownership. Can Can has been purchased by Housepitality Family, the local restaurant group that also runs The Boathouse and Casa Del Barco. This is the second time the French restaurant has changed hands in four years. (Richmond BizSense)

Community

Richmond is serving as a pilot location for a Virginia Poverty Law Center program helping those facing eviction. Weekly walk-in events at three RPL branches offer free assistance for anyone at risk of losing their housing. If the program succeeds, VPLC is looking to scale it to other parts of VA. (Virginia Mercury)

Finance

Good news: Rates are expected to go down soon. Compare fixed-rate loans and HELOCs to find your best way to borrow — calculate your payment.*

Shop

These THC gummies tap into the body’s endocannabinoid system and get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.*^†

Outdoors

A taste of fall weather

10 easy picnic ideas in Richmond

Scuffletown Park is a perfect place for a faux-fall picnic. | Photo by @scuffletown_park

The last few days have been a dream come true, weather-wise. The chilly mornings, temperate afternoons, and relatively low humidity have been so nice — it’s easy to forget we’re still in the middle of August.

Luckily, this weather looks set to stick around through most of the weekend. If you want to get out and enjoy a sub-70° breakfast, we’ve got some suggestions for a morning picnic.

Forest Hill Park

Swing by Gold Lion Community Cafe on your way to pick up some breakfast, then set up at this scenic Southside hangout.

Scuffletown Park

Scuffletown Park is perfect for a picnic with a few friends. Snag a treat from Idle Hands and sit at one of several benches and tables.

Bryan Park

Get a fresh local breakfast at the RVA BIG Market tomorrow morning and walk to a more secluded area if you prefer to be away from the market’s hustle and bustle.

More picnic picks

The Buy

The Buy 8.23.24 (Affiliate)

REI’s Labor Day sale is here. It runs until Monday, Sept. 2 + includes deals like:

⛺ $60 off the REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent

☀️ 25% off the ENO SingleNest hammock

🥾 20% off the Danner Mountain 600 insulated hiking boots

More REI deals worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

When I was researching the “street road” phenomenon, Broad Street was by far the most baffling. West Broad keeps its “street” designation all the way through Henrico County, but becomes Broad Street Road as soon as you cross the border into Goochland. Somebody, please, make it make sense.

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