Richmond, Virginia in the 1930s was a city shaped by the Great Depression, large-scale public works projects, and the resilience of its residents. The tobacco and textile industries struggled, unemployment rose, and floods repeatedly tested the city’s infrastructure. Yet Richmond also saw new institutions take root, cultural life expand, and its communities find ways to endure. The photographs below offer a direct look at the people, places, and events that defined this decade in the city’s history.
The storm dropped 7.5 inches of snow on Richmond, about double the previous record for a November snowfall set in 1929.
The design for a memorial to World War I’s dead was debated in the mid-1920s, with Richmond industrialist Granville Valentine leading a campaign for a carillon — despite a war memorial commission favoring an alternative. The state ultimately endorsed a carillon, and the bell tower was dedicated in October 1932.
Days of drenching rains to the north led to statewide property damage estimated at more than $2 million, with half of that concentrated in Fredericksburg.
Three days of rains had caused the James River to crest at 27 feet. About 700 men worked around the clock for up to 36 hours to secure the dike. Total property damage in Richmond was estimated at more than $100,000.
The company offered to give Forest Hill Park to the city in exchange and promised to put buses on the South Side thoroughfare in place of the streetcar line. Grass plots were planned to replace the tracks and poles. The proposal was approved early in 1934.
Later that month, it was announced that the unique span, built in the early 1900s to connect the main hotel and its annex, would continue to serve as a lounge for hotel patrons. But in 1942, the bridge was dismantled so the steel could be used in the war effort.
The church was dedicated in 1889, built on land donated by Mack Cogbill and with donations from 40 members of the community. Offerings included a Bible, pulpit chairs, an organ, and a total of nearly $1,500.
In January 1926, two banks merged to become State-Planter’s, and this building, constructed in the early 1920s for the State and City Bank and Trust Co., was home to the merged bank’s North Side branch until June 1933. The building still stands today.
Shortly after this photo was taken, the span was closed to traffic and spectators. Flooding in a dozen Eastern states killed more than 100 people and, while the James crested at 28.3 feet, the temporary dike at the foot of 17th Street held.
Drivers tended to use the center lane instead of the right lane, next to the parked cars. With passing on the right prohibited, traffic would stack up behind slow cars, usually resulting in someone pulling into oncoming traffic to try to pass — and increasing the chance of accidents.
After Prohibition was repealed, Peery named the first members of the state’s new Alcohol Beverage Control Board. Virginia’s unemployment insurance also was established during his term. Governor Peery’s inauguration.
After Prohibition was repealed, Peery named the first members of the state’s new Alcohol Beverage Control Board. Virginia’s unemployment insurance also was established during his term. Governor Peery’s inauguration.
He decorated them with medals. Left to right: Westmoreland Davis, U.S. Senator Claude Swanson, Governor Pollard, E. Lee Trinkle, and Andrew Jackson Montague.
The special ceremony, which commemorated the Feast Day of St. Benedict, had been conducted only a few times in Richmond.
The route had its start in 1812 as a stagecoach toll road. Trolleys were seen as the way of the future in 1907, but because of financial difficulties, the route finally changed over to bus service.
Accompanying them were their son, James Jr., and the governor’s niece, Elizabeth Martin, who was visiting from Mount Airy, N.C.
The women were creating 400 to 500 garments and blankets per month, earning $22 monthly. The WPA was a New Deal employment program, and the Times-Dispatch had published an editorial questioning its value. A reporter and photographer were sent to Suffolk to tour various WPA projects, and their conclusions shed a positive light on the effort.
The ship, designed by the display department of Miller & Rhoads, was mounted on a hidden truck chassis and rolled along in the opening ceremonies. During the Roll Call week, the ship was to “anchor” at various places around Richmond, with staff on board collecting membership dues and contributions. As part of the ceremony, the ship was “christened” with rose petals by Virginia’s first lady, Mrs. John Garland Pollard.
The church, organized in 1924, moved into its first building in 1925 after meeting in the Patrick Henry School during construction. This new building was to house the parsonage, Sunday school, fellowship groups, suppers, and church meetings.
It also held offices for Old Dominion Iron and Steel Corp., whose history on the island spanned from before the war to the 1970s.
The initiative secured toys and food for needy children at Christmas as early as 1924. The Richmond News Leader had a similar drive, and in 1935, these two evolved into the Christmas Mother Fund.
Richmond had one of the first such self-help cooperatives in the country — first lady Eleanor Roosevelt even wrote an article in the Rotarian about Richmond’s program. Scrip was used for food, clothing, and other necessities, and in 1938, members logged more than 211,000 hours of work.
The special ceremony, which commemorated the Feast Day of St. Benedict, had been conducted only a few times in Richmond.
This store featured 23 departments, and some grand opening specials included women’s dresses and white shoes for $1 and men’s dress shirts for 50 cents. A parking lot now occupies the site. 5-7-1936: New location of the Charles Stores at 13-17 East Broad Street. Lease negotiations were handled by the office of Gordon E. Strause.
The store advertised itself as “the first air-cooled shoe store in the entire South.” A fall sale that year offered women’s shoes as low as $1.77.
Here, empty coal gondolas stood ready in Richmond yards, awaiting the signal to resume operations. Thousands like these filled train yards in the Appalachian soft coal area.
This dike was built near Main Street Station downtown, where water was coming up through the brick-lined street.
Standing from left are Westmoreland Davis, Elbert Lee Trinkle, Harry F. Byrd Sr. and John Garland Pollard.
The WPA was a New Deal employment program, and a Times-Dispatch reporter and photographer went to Suffolk to tour various WPA projects.
The project, which aimed to expand book availability in rural areas, was part of the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal employment program. At right, WPA official Ella Agnew turned over the key to C.W. Dickinson Jr. of the State Board of Education. With them were (from left) F.E. Gross of Chevrolet, Leslie Stevens of the Virginia State Library, project technical supervisor Mary Gaver, and project administrative supervisor W.A. Moon Jr.
Horse- or mule-drawn trolleys were a preferred mode of transportation here starting in about 1860. They began to be replaced by electric trolleys in the late 1880s, and they were all retired by 1901.
The building was constructed during World War I and later known as David House. In 1972 it was designated as a historical site; it is still standing today as the oldest building at Fort Lee and the only one left from WWI.
In its day on exhibit in Richmond, the train was visited by about 10,000 people, including Gov. John Pollard, Lt. Gov. James Price, Mayor J. Fulmer Bright, and numerous other local and state dignitaries.
Built in 1908, it was the center of “Y” activities for 30 years. In 1938, it was sold for $300,000, and the YMCA later relocated to West Franklin Street, where it remains today. This building was torn down after the sale, and a new one replaced it.
The newest addition to the Neighborhood Theatres group had one screen and a balcony (which was later converted to a second screen). Admission was 25 cents (20 cents for matinees, and 10 cents for children). Current operator Regal Entertainment Group has announced that the struggling Westhampton will close this year.
The tavern now serves as a restaurant and theater; the oldest part that still stands dates to 1791. Young statesman Patrick Henry lived there for several years after marrying the daughter of the tavern’s owners.
The company, which was founded in Newark, N.J., joined the American Can Co. in 1934 to experiment with putting beer in a can, and Krueger chose Richmond as the test market. In 1935, it sold the first can of beer in history in Richmond, and many breweries soon followed suit.
An accompanying article reported that Cherry Isle was a popular gathering spot for train-hoppers — the illegal practice increased in the post-Depression era as thousands traveled from place to place looking for work.
The shop, run by brothers Frank R. and A.G. Bialkowski, had glass of many types, including for automobiles, and offered bath and kitchen installation, storefront construction, and paint products.
Virginia lawmakers were close to legalizing some beer sales as the Prohibition era was nearing its end.
Marked by modern architecture and red neon letters on the roof, the building opened with a celebration that included a speech by Virginia Gov. James H. Price. Public tours were offered as well. The building’s three studios included a fully equipped kitchen for use during cooking school broadcasts.
The James River was expected to reach a 26-foot crest after heavy rains, which had shut down major bridges and roadways in the area. The WPA was a New Deal employment program, and this flood project involved about 200 workers.
Storms, wind, and flooding caused major damage in the city and surrounding localities, and the James River crested at about 26 feet.
Three quarries were once located on the edge of the North Side park, and they were popular swimming holes.
Department store operator The Charles Stores Co. of New York opened in the building in May.
Glasgow helped establish the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia in 1909, and as a lover of animals, she served as the longtime president of the Richmond SPCA. She died in 1945 and left much of her estate to the organization.
The building dates to the late 19th century and first served as a market. Later, it became an auditorium, hosting conventions and other events. After many remodels, the latest being in 2010, it currently serves as the Cary Street Gym for Virginia Commonwealth University.
Really cool collection of photos. I had no idea there used to be a stadium on Mayo Island.
Pretty cool. I always like looking through things like this. Although, I think the site doesn’t know the difference between rva and Richmond county.