Hi all. I live in an old house that was renovated into apartments on West Franklin. I want to learn more about the property, and I was wondering where I can find more information out there [if it exists]. I’ve done a pretty thorough Google search, but I’ve only really found a few things. Are there places [local] that I can go to in order to find more information, maybe photos? Online resources would be helpful too! Thanks!

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[deleted] t1_iwqnpfn wrote on November 17, 2022 at 5:02 PM

#555,987

[removed]

Charlesinrichmond t1_iwqnsic wrote on November 17, 2022 at 5:03 PM

#555,991

library of Virginia, and HABS building survey

https://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/

wtfareyounow t1_iwqnydf wrote on November 17, 2022 at 5:04 PM

#556,003

Did you check the ownership records? Search by address. https://apps.richmondgov.com/applications/PropertySearch/Search.aspx

[deleted] t1_iwqobr8 wrote on November 17, 2022 at 5:06 PM

#556,032

Historical society

Coyote-Foxtrot t1_iwqqnqw wrote on November 17, 2022 at 5:21 PM

#556,185

Pull out a Ouija board and ask the ghosts.

nonrepudiationish t1_iwqubnf wrote on November 17, 2022 at 5:45 PM

#556,470

I found some neat stuff searching through old newspapers online. I can't remember what site, but it was free. Apparently a former owner married a pitcher for the Richmond Colts baseball team here.

edit: The site I used was from the library of congress - https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

lunar_unit t1_iwqwahg wrote on November 17, 2022 at 5:58 PM

#556,606

The Main Library on Franklin has old catalogs (sort of like census info meets telephone books) that lists info by address. You have to ask at the desk and they'll dig them out for you.

They have a specific name, which escapes me at the moment, but I'll edit this comment when my brain unlocks, or hopefully someone else will chime in with that info.

Edit:. The Hill Directories is what I was referring to:

https://chpnarchive.net/2009/11/29/who-lived-in-your-house/index.html

danadane1419 t1_iwr2ea9 wrote on November 17, 2022 at 6:38 PM

#557,052

I take it the prior owners are uninvited guests 👻

flirtyturtles OP t1_iwr2s0d wrote on November 17, 2022 at 6:40 PM

#557,085

Replying to danadane1419 (#557,052)

Unfortunately, no. I wish my place was that cool! I’m just a history nerd, lol.

JustStudyItOut t1_iwr33ce wrote on November 17, 2022 at 6:42 PM

#557,105

https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/127-0228/

Look through these and if your building is talked about DHR might have more information on it. You can send an archives request to https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/archive/

You can PM me your address my wife works at DHR.

kipfoot t1_iwr7qzv wrote on November 17, 2022 at 7:13 PM

#557,429

when you go to the richmond parcel search, go to the image tab and click next...next...next. you may find an old photograph clipped to the old tax record

Also, look at the sanborn Fire insurance maps. This may give you a sense of what was around at the time of construction.

GreenAndDying t1_iwrc1tl wrote on November 17, 2022 at 7:41 PM

#557,717

The Valentine Museum will pull together anything they have in their archives on your house. I lived in an old house in Jackson Ward one year and they put together an impressive folder of previous owners and historical photos for me

flirtyturtles OP t1_iwrc701 wrote on November 17, 2022 at 7:42 PM

#557,729

Replying to GreenAndDying (#557,717)

This is awesome, thanks! I’ve been meaning to visit there but always make the excuse of no time. Maybe this will finally get me there.

icepick314 t1_iwrcs4z wrote on November 17, 2022 at 7:46 PM

#557,771

Replying to Coyote-Foxtrot (#556,185)

Don't forget to blindfold yourself.

Fan_Rat t1_iwrz24r wrote on November 17, 2022 at 10:15 PM

#559,340

If the building was constructed prior to 1922, look it up on Chronicling America. The database has the T-D and the Planet (https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/#tab=tab_advanced_search).

The Library of Virginia put together Virginia Chronicle (https://virginiachronicle.com/), which includes the News Leader (through 1925) and the Evening Journal (through 1920) among many other papers.