Submitted by flirtyturtles t3_yxv77d in rva

Hi all. I live in an old house that was renovated into apartments on West Franklin. I want to learn more about the property, and I was wondering where I can find more information out there [if it exists]. I’ve done a pretty thorough Google search, but I’ve only really found a few things. Are there places [local] that I can go to in order to find more information, maybe photos? Online resources would be helpful too! Thanks!

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lunar_unit t1_iwqwahg wrote

The Main Library on Franklin has old catalogs (sort of like census info meets telephone books) that lists info by address. You have to ask at the desk and they'll dig them out for you.

They have a specific name, which escapes me at the moment, but I'll edit this comment when my brain unlocks, or hopefully someone else will chime in with that info.

Edit:. The Hill Directories is what I was referring to:

https://chpnarchive.net/2009/11/29/who-lived-in-your-house/index.html

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GreenAndDying t1_iwrc1tl wrote

The Valentine Museum will pull together anything they have in their archives on your house. I lived in an old house in Jackson Ward one year and they put together an impressive folder of previous owners and historical photos for me

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flirtyturtles OP t1_iwrc701 wrote

This is awesome, thanks! I’ve been meaning to visit there but always make the excuse of no time. Maybe this will finally get me there.

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kipfoot t1_iwr7qzv wrote

when you go to the richmond parcel search, go to the image tab and click next...next...next. you may find an old photograph clipped to the old tax record

Also, look at the sanborn Fire insurance maps. This may give you a sense of what was around at the time of construction.

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nonrepudiationish t1_iwqubnf wrote

I found some neat stuff searching through old newspapers online. I can't remember what site, but it was free. Apparently a former owner married a pitcher for the Richmond Colts baseball team here.

edit: The site I used was from the library of congress - https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

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sassypapaya t1_iwtfm63 wrote

Wow thank you for this, I found some really neat info!

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[deleted] t1_iwqobr8 wrote

Historical society

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danadane1419 t1_iwr2ea9 wrote

I take it the prior owners are uninvited guests 👻

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flirtyturtles OP t1_iwr2s0d wrote

Unfortunately, no. I wish my place was that cool! I’m just a history nerd, lol.

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