Virginia Commercial Historic District

Virginia Commercial Historic District
Former First National Bank of Virginia building
LocationChestnut Street between 1st and 6th Avenues, Virginia, Minnesota
Coordinates47°31′23″N 92°32′9″W / 47.52306°N 92.53583°W / 47.52306; -92.53583
Area13 acres (5.3 ha)
Built1900–1941
ArchitectEdwin S. Radcliffe and Vernon Price, Liebenberg and Kaplan, Anthony W. Puck, Paul S. and Reuben Damberg
NRHP reference No.97000020[1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 31, 1997

The Virginia Commercial Historic District is a defined area in downtown Virginia, Minnesota, recognized for its collection of historic commercial buildings constructed between 1900 and 1941. This historic district was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 because of its significance to commerce and its role in the economic development of the Iron Range region.[2] It was nominated for representing an early-20th-century business district and Virginia's development as a mining boomtown and tourism gateway.[3]

Architectural Features

The district comprises 78 contributing structures, which exhibit a range of early twentieth-century commercial architectural forms. Buildings in the area were erected primarily with brick and stone, reflecting heightened concerns for fire safety and durability. Notable examples within the district include the former First National Bank of Virginia, the Roman Block building, and the Lyric Center for the Arts, formerly known as a vaudeville theater and opera venue.[3]

Chestnut Street

Chestnut Street serves as the central thoroughfare within the district, lined with historic buildings that housed businesses, hotels, dining establishments, and civic organizations. These structures served both residents and the many workers drawn to the region by mining opportunities, establishing Virginia as a significant commercial hub in northern Minnesota.[3]

Galley

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "Virginia Commercial Historic District". Minnesota National Register Properties Database. Minnesota Historical Society. 2009. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Perkins, Chad J.; Charlene K. Roise; Christine A. Prestegard (August 21, 1996). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Virginia Commercial Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved June 22, 2018. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) With 38 accompanying photos from 1996