Scott’s Addition Historic District
Scott’s Addition Historic District is one of the larger industrial and commercial districts in Richmond. The district contains brick and frame buildings in a variety of architectural styles, including Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Mission, International Style, and Art Deco. Several skillfully crafted Moderne buildings are reflections of a style rarely seen in Richmond. The area remained largely undeveloped until the early 1900s, when it saw the construction of modest dwellings and businesses. A second wave of development occurred between the 1930s and 1950s with the building of large industrial plants, commercial buildings, and warehouses amongst the existing dwellings. The second phase of development largely defines the types of buildings located at present in the district.
Named for General Winfield Scott, Scott’s Addition was a part of the vast, 600-acre Hermitage estate that Scott inherited in 1818 from his father-in-law, Colonel John Mayo. The portion of land known as Scott’s Addition remained in the family until the late 19th century. The earliest subdivision plan dating from November of 1890 called for residential development of the area. Subsequent plans followed this trend until the railroad emerged as a driving force in growth of the locality.
Passenger and freight traffic for the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad (RF&P) increased dramatically in the early decades of the 20th century, and by 1916, the city decided to change some of the railroad traffic patterns. The Broad Street Station opened in January 1919, coinciding with the closure of other tracks and crossings in Richmond. The location of the railroad tracks along the north and west sides of Scott’s Addition and the nearby Acca freight yard made the undeveloped land in the area ideal for industrial development. The railroad extended spur lines into the area. Despite excellent rail service, Scott’s Addition was slow to emerge as an industrial area because of the residential nature of the original plats. It was not until the adoption of the 1927 Zoning Ordinance, which designated the area for industrial use, that construction of factories and plants began in the district. The advent of the federal highway system in the 1950s further reinforced industrial and commercial growth in Scott’s Addition.
Scott’s Addition Historic District is still a thriving light industrial and commercial district for the city. One of Scott’s Addition’s greatest assets is its central location and convenient access. Along with its location and access, the size, variety, and affordability of buildings in the area make the district as attractive today for new businesses as it was 50 years ago. Many of the original companies that constructed buildings in the district are still in operation there. The auto repair shops and showrooms that were a staple of the district’s early development are still present. The names have changed, but auto-related businesses still play a vital role in the district.
Today, Scott’s Addition is home to a diverse mix of businesses, including film studios, graphics and marketing companies, advertising groups, and architectural firms. Adaptive reuse and other preservation efforts have made this neighborhood attractive to not only businesses, but to residents as well, and the area has received renewed attention in recent years.
Scott’s Addition Historic District is bounded roughly by The Boulevard to the east, the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad to the north and west, and Cutshaw Ave. to the south. The district is 1.6 miles away from downtown Richmond. For more information, click on the link to the Scott's Addition Business Association website.
Information and photos courtesy of the National Register for Historic Places Richmond, VA Travel Itinerary, a subsidiary of the National Park Service.
