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A Tour of Historic Richmond

Chapter 54: Transcriber’s Notes
By Frances Leigh Williams
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History - AmericanTravel Writing

About This Book

A guide traces the city's growth from its riverine beginnings at the falls of the James through colonial and revolutionary moments, its tenure as the Confederate capital, and later industrial and civic development. Interspersed with historical vignettes, civic memory, and wartime service, the text emphasizes preservation of antebellum and colonial sites while describing a geographically organized sightseeing route. Readers encounter accounts of monuments, cemeteries, public buildings, and neighborhoods, plus illustrated stops such as hilltop overlooks and stately hotels. Practical orientation and historical context combine to map how the built landscape preserves civic identity and invites exploration.

The Williamsburg-Yorktown-Jamestown Area

The Governor’s Palace at Williamsburg

Only an hour’s drive southeast of Richmond on Route 60 is the most historic area to be found anywhere in America.

Here is Williamsburg, the former center of English culture in the new world, almost completely restored to its eighteenth century appearance. Here you will see the historic Colonial Capitol, The Governor’s Palace and its beautiful grounds, the famous Raleigh Tavern, the Public Gaol, the famed Sir Christopher Wren Building of the College of William and Mary and many other colonial structures restored through the beneficence of Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Seven miles from Williamsburg is Jamestown Island where in 1607 the first permanent settlement of English speaking people in the New World was established. A ruined tower of an early Colonial church still stands here, and many interesting relics are on display in the grounds which are under the supervision of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.

Yorktown is only fifteen miles from Williamsburg. This famous little town which saw a great nation come into being bears a great heritage. It was here that proud Lord Cornwallis was forced to surrender to General George Washington and his continental forces in 1781. The original fortifications erected during the great siege of Yorktown have been restored. Historic buildings and relics of the Revolution make Yorktown a spot which every American citizen should visit.

Less than an hour’s drive from the Colonial Williamsburg area is Hampton Roads, an important channel through which the waters of three rivers pass into the Chesapeake Bay. Fort Monroe, on Old Point Comfort, and Fort Wool, on an island in the channel, defend the entrance from the Bay. It was in Hampton Roads that the first battle between iron-clad vessels, the Monitor and the Merrimac, took place on March 9, 1862. President Lincoln, Secretary Seward and Confederate commissioners held their “Hampton Roads Conference” on a steamer near Fort Monroe on February 3, 1865.

Be sure to visit Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown and the Hampton Roads area during your visit to Richmond, for nowhere else may you cover as much historic and hallowed ground in a single day. This famous area may be reached quickly and conveniently. Ask for information which will facilitate your trip there.

Jamestown Tower

THE JEFFERSON

Whether you’re traveling on business or pleasure, you’ll enjoy every minute of your stay at the Hotel Jefferson in Richmond. Long a center of social and cultural life in Virginia, this famous recently-restored hotel merges the traditions of the past with present-day beauty, convenience and hospitality.

Among the things which will make your visit enjoyable are the Jefferson’s world-famous Lobby ... the luxurious Empire Room ... Jefferson Court with its renowned statue of Thomas Jefferson ... the new Fountain Room and the efficient, beautifully-appointed Coffee Shop ... the handsome, spacious Auditorium and Banquet Rooms ... the lovely Guest Rooms and the Jefferson’s traditional hospitality and service.

The Jefferson is located just outside the noisy section of the city, yet within easy walking distance of theatres, shopping district and financial section. It is convenient to all forms of transportation. Free parking space is provided. Rates range from $3.50.

For further information communicate with
THE HOTEL JEFFERSON
JAMES M. POWELL, Manager
Richmond, Virginia

Transcriber’s Notes

  • Silently corrected a few typos.
  • Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook is public-domain in the country of publication.
  • In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by _underscores_.