Jackson Ward Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Also known as: VDHR File # 127-0237
Why it's listed
Two blocks of Marshall Street in Richmond were left out of the original Jackson Ward Historic District in 1976 because so much historic fabric seemed lost. Later research showed that much of the gap was never built on, having served as a lumber yard and later a used car lot and gas station. The added area holds thirteen dwellings, five commercial buildings, a warehouse and a factory, built roughly between 1870 and 1930. Most dwellings are two-story, three-bay Italianate brick houses with bracketed cornices, and one large Victorian Eclectic house dates to about 1915. Early twentieth-century commercial buildings include Moderne and Art Deco examples. The Samuel Binswanger House, built about 1874, keeps its cast-iron porch and was home to the founder of a national glass distribution company. In the late nineteenth century the block housed immigrants and skilled tradesmen, and by the 1920s its residents were largely African American, with several Black organizations based there.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the area is significant under Criterion A for its link to Richmond's diverse ethnic population, from immigrant and Jewish merchants to the later African American community and Civil Rights-related organizations. Under Criterion C it adds a varied group of Italianate and Victorian Eclectic dwellings and early twentieth-century commercial buildings consistent with the existing district. The Samuel Binswanger House, tied to the nationwide Binswanger Glass Company, adds further importance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05001108, listed September 26, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1/2-17 E. Marshall St.; 0-24 W. Marshall St., Richmond |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | September 26, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05001108 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1800-1926 (1940-1970 for Civil Rights buildings only) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian (Victorian Eclectic, Italianate); Commercial style; Moderne; Art Deco |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | National, State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Several dwellings, including five on the south side of the street, are described as vacant and boarded up; other buildings remain in commercial, club, church or residential use. |
| Acreage | 3.2 |
| Within district | James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.54854, -77.44097 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05001108.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.