2120 East Broad Street (1977)
Vintage Richmond does it again, this with a great before and after of 2120 East Broad Street.
Anyone got a photo of the building when it was 2 stories?
Vintage Richmond does it again, this with a great before and after of 2120 East Broad Street.
Anyone got a photo of the building when it was 2 stories?
WHOA!
I read that the school was to be demolished in 1936 but saving a “corner brick building” and an attached for depression era WPA vocational training of boys and girls to make them active citizens. It was closed when the new school opened 1913 and was still empty then except for a couple offices. I saw a very grainy 1908 picture of the school in a newspaper online and it looks like there may not have been a 2nd story to this section? Had a wooden hipped roof. But could be wrong… still seeking.
Looking at a 1953 aerial photo of Church Hill – Broad Street and can see the corner of 22nd and Broad. Building looks to be same, no second floor and believe the hurricane that took the church steeple next door was 1954. That is if the photo at VCU is correctly dated?
The RPS history page differs somewhat on the history, indicates that the top story was only up there for a few years:
“In 1904-05, a “new and suitable building” was erected and equipped as a manual training center. Bellevue’s third story was condemned and removed in 1908-09; pupils were relocated to the lower floors for four-hour daily sessions. The building continued in use as an elementary school until the new Bellevue School opened in September 1914, at 2301 East Grace Street.”
Also haven’t been able to find mention of a hurricane in Richmond/VA in 1950 (though plenty in other years). You’re right about that church: Hurricane Hazel was 1954.
question is……..who brought it back to it’s present day condition? I’ve worked on that place years ago for a few of the tenants and I never would have guessed how bad it was.
Interesting to hear more of the history. I’ve also done a bit of digging since my post, and didn’t see any hurricanes in 1950. I’d love to hear more of the 1978-present history too. Someone took a big chance on this building, and I’m glad they did.
2120 e. broad was renovated by ed harris, the initial owner/broker of st. john,s realty. i believe that the building dates to 1874. i have a photo taken in 1927 showing both the upper floor and the church steeple my residence is located at the two windows on the left of the 1977 photo.
[...] A recent post on 2120 East Broad mentioned that the building once had a second story. The photo above (larger), a look west on Broad from the south-east corner of 22nd and Broad Streets, shows to the a glimpse of that building. [...]
my name is Shirley Wright Briggs i went to Bellvue School in 1945 i love Church Hill i did not know the history on Church Hill until i got grown now i love to learn the history on Church Hill my parent has gone so i have no one to asked thank u for the infor on Church Hill i have a picture of my brother and his dog be side Ray’s i think at 16 or 17 east Broad St we live their on the top floor in the 40;s
hope u can give me some infor on Ray’s Store