Henry Street Historic District
Also known as: Vdhr # 128-5764
Why it's listed
Henry Street, also called First Street, in Roanoke's Gainsboro neighborhood was the commercial and entertainment heart of the city's African-American community in the first half of the 20th century. Five buildings remain of a once larger three-block district: the 1917 Hotel Dumas, the 1923 Strand Theatre, a doctor's office from about 1945, and small storefront buildings from 1951 and 1962. The hotel lodged touring performers such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Cab Calloway during segregation, while the Strand hosted musicians and, from 1924 to 1925, the film company of Oscar Micheaux, who made several films in the neighborhood. Doctors and dentists also kept offices nearby, tied to the founding of Burrell Memorial Hospital. The district was recognized for its importance in commerce, entertainment, health care and Black ethnic heritage from 1917 to 1954. The buildings have stood vacant for about twenty years, and the theatre has lost its roof.
Significance in brief: Henry Street was the commercial and entertainment center of Roanoke's African-American community during the Jim Crow era. The Hotel Dumas and Strand Theatre hosted famous Black performers and housed filmmaker Oscar Micheaux's film company in 1924-1925. Doctors' offices on the street also show the area's role in Black health care and self-sufficiency.
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 04001276, listed November 27, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 100 blk. of Henry St. NW, Roanoke |
|---|---|
| County | Roanoke (city and county) |
| Listed | November 27, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04001276 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1917-1954 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century Revival; No Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Entertainment/Recreation, Health/Medicine, Black |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The buildings have been vacant for about twenty years, with rehabilitation plans under development. The Strand Theatre is deteriorated and its roof is missing. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Within district | Gainsboro Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.27514, -79.94199 (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).
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 04001276.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16892246
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.