City Girls Walk VA Tour along Freemason St. in Norfolk, VA
Starting Point at the Park
The Taiwan Observation Tower, also known as The Pagoda, was a gift from the Taiwan Provincial Government to Virginia and Norfolk in 1981 as a way to honor our trading relationship with them. these structures are common in other major port cities in the United States as well. All of the materials for this structure were brought in from Taiwan and then constructed onsite.
Second Stop at Old Norfolk Public Library 345 West Freemason Street (B. 1904) (26)
The Old Norfolk Public Library exemplifies the Classic Revival style, featuring ornate Greek temple-style structures and intricate details popular in the late 1800s and mid-1900s. You will see most of the commercial buildings also built in the Classic Revival style.
Third Stop at Historic Hague Bridge and Ghent
The Historic Hague Bridge, destroyed by a late 1800s storm, was repaved using oyster shells, showcasing the resourcefulness of the coastal community.
Keep an eye out for the Richardsonian Romanesque style in Ghent, distinguished by its conical roofs, stone archways, and robust rubble stone walls, prevalent in buildings from the 1880s to 1900s.
Continuing the Tour
During the Gilded Age, the elite black community, known as the "Bees," built extravagant mansions, reflecting their status and power struggles. Rev. Dr. Harvey N Johnson, a prominent black architect, contributed significantly to the area's architectural landscape. He also built the Attucks Theater.
The Cap-Hubbard House (B. 1852) on 308 West Freemason Street represents the Greek Revival style, boasting a one-story portico and paired Ionic columns. The original cast iron fencing along the exterior of the yard is considered to be of museum quality.
The Hunter House (B. 1894) on 240 West Freemason Street, designed by Boston architect W.D. Wentworth, displays striking Romanesque-Gothic features, including porticos, turrets, and a front gable gargoyle. This home is open to the public as a victorian museum.
The Purdie-Taylor-Whittle House (B. 1791) on 227 West Freemason Street serves as a remarkable example of Federal architecture, and is now the site of the Norfolk Historical Society.
Last Stop at the Glass Light
The Royster Building, also known as the Glass Light Hotel, marked a significant milestone in Norfolk's architectural evolution in the early 1900s, as it was the cities first high-rise at 12 stories tall.
The owner of this building also received the city's first speeding ticket in Norfolk, VA.
Today, Norfolk's skyline boasts impressive structures, including the Dominion Tower, Icon Norfolk, and Wells Fargo buildings, reflecting the city's architectural growth and development over the years.
